Herman Autrey

Herman Autrey (December 4, 1904 – June 14, 1980) was an American jazz trumpeter. He is best known for his work as a key member of Fats Waller's and his Rhythm.

Autrey was born on December 4, 1904, into a musical family in Evergreen, Alabama. His father and two of his brothers were also musicians. 

Autrey's earliest musical experience, at age five, was playing his father's tuba whenever he was able to. He studied alto horn when he was eight, switching permanently to the trumpet by the time he was thirteen. 

Autrey moved to Pittsburgh in 1923 and spent the next decade playing in theaters, for shows, and in territory bands, with long stops in Florida, Boston, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia. In the years 1929-32, he collaborated with Doc Hyder's band.

In 1933, he joined Charlie Johnson's orchestra at Small's Paradise in New York. It was around that time when he was discovered by acclaimed pianist Fats Waller. He became well known through Waller, who hired him in 1934 after signing a contract with Victor Records.

As part of Waller's sextet and occasional big band during 1934—39 and 1941-42, Autrey recorded over 200 selections and worked steadily. He collaborated with drummer Harry Dial, guitarist Al Casey, and reedist Gene Sedric and recorded extensively with Waller, Fletcher Henderson, and Claude Hopkins.

Autrey was on nearly all of Waller's important Victor records of the era, and his trumpet was a major part of the Rhythm's sound. 

When Waller was hired for solo tours or guested in films, Autrey freelanced, including playing trumpet with Fletcher Henderson's commercially unsuccessful orchestra in 1935 and gigging with noted pianists Luis Russell and Claude Hopkins(1938 and 1940). 

In 1942, Autrey left Waller (a year before Waller's death). Most of his post-Waller years were spent playing at low-profile jobs.

Autrey worked as a sideman into the 1940s with Stuff Smith, Sammy Price, and Una Mae Carlisle. His jazz ensembles sometimes included pianist Herbie Nichols. 

Video: Swinging Them Jingle Bells

In the late 1940s, he and his band toured Canada.

In 1954, Autrey was in a car accident and remained inactive for one year. In the 1960s, he was part of Red Richards' group the Saints and Sinners (1965-69). He recorded a few albums with the band and toured Europe in 1968 and 1969. In 1969, he played with Buzzy Drootin's Jazz Family which included trombonist Benny Morton, clarinetist/alto saxophonist Herb Hall, pianist Sonny Drootin, and bassist Eddie Gibbs. 

As age took its toll in the 1970s, Autrey began to lose his playing capacity and emphasized his singing. He retired altogether in the mid-1970s.

Autrey died on June 14, 1980, in New York City, New York, at the age of 75.

• The Early Years, Part I (Bluebird 66618)
• The Early Years, Part 2 (Bluebird 66640)
• The Early Years, Part 3 (RCA 66747)
• The Middle Years, Part I (Bluebird 66083)
• The Middle Years, Part 2 (Bluebird 66552)
• The Last Years (Bluebird 9883)