Pee Wee Erwin
Trumpet

Born George Erwin in Falls City Nebraska, May 30, 1913; Died in Teaneck New Jersey, Jun 20, 1981, Trumpeter. He grew up in a musical family and began playing trumpet at the age of four. He made his first radio broadcast four years later. After traveling with territory bands he played with Joe Haymes (1931-3), Isham Jones (1933-4) and others, then settled in New York.

Pee Wee's wide range and skills as a sight reader and improvisor caused him to be much in demand for radio sessions and he played on Benny Goodman's programs in 1934-5 and 1936. In 1935 he also worked with Ray Noble. Later he played with Tommy Dorsey (1037-9), who gave Erwin's powerful tone particular prominence on such pieces as Who?.

Afer leaving Dorsey, Erwin pursued a career as a studio musician, but interrupted this to run a big band (1941-2). He also rehearsed with another band in 1046 without success. In 1949 he began leading an ensemble which became resident at Nick's in New York City, for much of the 1950s. During the 1960s he ran a trumpet school with Chris Griffin and continued to perform. He also became increasingly active in radio and TV work. On the NYC staff of CBS, he played regulary for the Garry Moore, Carol Burnett, Candid Camera and Jackie Gleason shows. From 1963 on he had a weekly radio jazz show with Ed Joyce. His playing retained its spirit and verve throughout the following decade, when he toured Europe with Warren Covington, the Kings of Jazz (his own band, 1974) and the New York Jazz Repertory Company. He gave his last performance in Holland in 1981.

In 198x he published "This Horn for Hire" with Warren W. Vaché, Sr.

Major part of Bio by Brian Peerless