Al Hirt

Born:Alois Maxwell Hirt on Nov 7, 1922 in New Orle

A virtuoso on the trumpet, Al Hirt was often "overqualified" for the Dixieland and pop music that he performed. He studied classical trumpet at the Cincinnati Conservatory (1940-1943) and was influenced by the playing of Harry James. He freelanced in swing bands (including both Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, and Ray McKinley) before returning to New Orleans in the late '40s and becoming involved in the Dixieland movement. He teamed up with clarinetist Pete Fountain on an occasional basis from 1955 on, and became famous by the end of the decade. An outstanding technician with a wide range, along with a propensity for playing far too many notes, Hirt had some instrumental pop hits in the 1960s. He also recorded swing and country music, but mostly stuck to Dixieland in his live performances. He remained a household name throughout his career, although one often feels that he could have done so much more with his talent. Hirt's early Audiofidelity recordings (1958-1960) and collaborations with Fountain are the most rewarding of his long career; he died at his home in New Orleans on April 27, 1999.

Discography:

Albums:
1955 Al Hirt in New Orleans
1956 Al Hirt's Jazz Band
1957 Al Hirt and His New Orleans All Stars
1957 Blockbustin' Dixie!
1958 Swingin' Dixie at Dan's Pier 600 in New Orleans, Vol. 1
1958 Swingin' Dixie, Vol. 3
1959 Swingin' Dixie at Dan's Pier 600 in New Orleans, Vol. 2
1960 He's the King
1961 The Greatest Horn in the World
1962 At the Mardi Gras [live]
1962 Cotton Candy
1962 Horn A-Plenty
1962 Trumpet and Strings
1963 Honey in the Horn
1964 Beauty and the Beard
1964 Sugar Lips
1965 Live at Carnegie Hall
1965 That Honey Horn Sound
1966 The Happy Trumpet
1966 They're Playing Our Song
1967 Soul in the Horn
1968 Al Hirt Plays Bert Kaempfert
1988 That's a Plenty
1989 Jazzin' at the Pops
1991 Al's Place
1991 Raw Sugar, Sweet Sauce
1992 The Sound of Christmas
1992 Have a Merry Little Christmas
1993 Bourbon Street
1996 Al Hirt & His Golden Trumpet
1996 Brassman's Holiday
1996 Live on Bourbon Street
2000 Music to Watch Girls
2000 Memories
2000 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
2003 Hot N' Spicy Fuel 2000
2005 Java: With Cream
2006 New Orleans: My Home Town