Jon Eardley

Jon Eardley (September 30, 1928 - April 1, 1991) was an American jazz trumpeter, who while not particularly well known in his native country but became a highly respected musician in Europe.

Life and career

Born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Eardley first started on trumpet at the age of 11; his father had played in Paul Whiteman's orchestra. From 1946 to 1949 Eardley played in an Air Force band in Washington, D.C., then played with his own quartet in D.C. from 1950 to 1953. He moved to New York City in 1953, playing with Phil Woods (1954), Gerry Mulligan (1954–57), and Hal McIntyre (1956). Following this he returned to his hometown and played there until 1963, when he moved to Belgium. In 1969 he moved to Cologne, Germany, playing there with Harald Banter and Chet Baker and working through the 1980s. The last years before death he played in the WDR Big Band Cologne, Germany. He died in Lambermont near Verviers, Belgium.

Discography

• Jon Eardley In Hollywood (New Jazz 1105) - original title: First Sessions (Prestige Records LP 250/LP 7005), with Pete Cera (p), Red Mitchell (b), Larry Bunker (dr) - recorded in Los Angeles, 1954
• The Jon Eardley Quintet (Prestige Records, 1954)
• Hey, There (Prestige Records LP 7055/LP 205), with J. R. Monterose (ts), George Syran (p), Teddy Kotick (b), Nick Stabulas (dr) - recorded in New York City, March 14, 1955
• The Jon Eardley Seven (Prestige Records LP 7033 OJC-123), with Zoot Sims (ts), Phil Woods (as), Milt Gold (tb), George Syran (p), Teddy Kotick (b), Nick Stabulas (dr) - recorded in New York City, January 13, 1956.
• Namely Me (Spotlite Records SPJ LP 17), with Pete King (as), John Taylor (p), Ron Mathewson (b), Mickey Roker (dr) - recorded in London, August 12/13, 1977.
• Stablemates (Spotlite Records SPJ LP11) with Art Themen (ts), Al Haig (p), Daryl Runswick (b), Allan Ganley (dr) - recorded in London, September 16, 1977.
• Two Of A Kind (Spotlite Records SPJ LP 16), with Mick Pyne (p) - recorded in London, September 12, 1977.
• My Funny Valentine & Round Midnight (Circle Records (Germany) RK 23581/24 & /25), with Chet Baker (tp & voc), Bob Mover (as), Dennis Luxion (p), Rocky Knauer (b), Burkhart Ruckert (dr) - recorded live in Salt Peanuts Club Cologne (Germany), May 21 & 23, 1981.

With Gerry Mulligan

• California Concerts (Pacific Jazz, 1955)
• Presenting the Gerry Mulligan Sextet (EmArcy, 1955)
• Mainstream of Jazz (EmArcy, 1956)