Snooky Young

Snooky Young was given his first trumpet from the local junk man who saw he had an interest in music, but whose family could not afford the expense. The gift served him well as young Snooky went on to record with the famous 1939 Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra, Count Basie, Gerald Wilson and Lionel Hampton. His influential style of muted horn can still be heard on records and in performances with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Band. With so much rich history, sitting with Snooky was a complete pleasure and thrill. Among the great stories he shared was how we received his nickname, from his mother.