Freddie Jenkins (October 10, 1906 – July 12, 1978) was an American jazz trumpeter.^[1]

Freddie Jenkins was born in New York City, United States on October 10, 1906.^[2] Jenkins played in the Jenkins Orphanage Band when young, and attended Wilberforce University.^[1] At Wilberforce he played with Edgar Hayes and Horace Henderson (1924–1928) as a member of the Collegians band.^[2] Following graduation, he took a position in Duke Ellington's Orchestra in 1928.^[1][2] As a member, he soloed in the 1930 film, Check and Double Check, during a performance of the song "Old Man Blues". He remained with the Ellington Orchestra until 1935, when lung problems forced him to quit.^[1]

He recovered and formed his own group in 1935, recording one session as a leader;^[1] sidemen included Ward Pinkett, Albert Nicholas and Bernard Addison. After this he played with Luis Russell in 1936.^[1] In 1937–38 he played with Ellington again,^[1] and for a short time thereafter played with Hayes Alvis. After 1938, his lung ailment returned and he retired from performance.^[1] In later years he worked in songwriting, disc jockeying, and in music press, and became a deputy sheriff in Fort Worth. Stanley Dance, writing about a concert played by Ellington and Sarah Vaughan, said

There was a good crowd in the huge auditorium that night ... The promoter, we were told, had a problem because of ticket counterfeiting. Deputy Sheriff Freddy Jenkins came in dressed Texas style with a big hat on his head and gun on hip. He looked a picture of health as he made an onstage speech and presentation to his former employer.^[3]

Jenkins died in Texas on July 12, 1978.^[2]

Footnotes

General references

• Scott Yanow, Freddie Jenkins at AllMusic