Ward Pinkett

Background

The son of an amateur cornet player, Ward Pinkett started playing the trumpet when he was ten years old.

Education

He played in the school band at Hampton Institute and later attended the New Haven Conservatory of Music.

Career

His promising musical career was cut short by alcoholism and illness. After working with the White Brothers Orchestra in Washington District of Columbia, Pinkett moved to New York City. He played for brief periods with the bands of Charlie Johnson, Willie Gant, Billy Fowler, Henri Saparo, Joe Steele and Charlie Skeete.

During his stint with Jelly Roll Morton in 1928-1930, he participated in seven of Morton"s recording sessions and his solos on "Strokin" Away" and "Low Gravy" (both recorded on July 14, 1930) are considered by music historians to be the best of his career.

In 1935 he teamed with Albert Nicholas and Bernard Addison at Adrian Rollini"s Tap Room and also had a short stint with Louis Metcalf"s Big Band. In addition to the Jelly Roll Morton recordings, he recorded with King Oliver, Bubber Miley, Clarence Williams, James P. Johnson and the Little Ramblers.

Ward Pinkett died of alcoholism-aggravated pneumonia six weeks short of his thirty-first birthday.

Achievements

• He also worked with Chick Webb, Bingie Madison, Rex Stewart (1933) and Teddy Hill, but was never able to achieve fame.