James "Trummy" Young (January 12, 1912 – September 10, 1984) was an American trombonist who played during the swing era. He became a famous musician after performing for 12 years with Louis Armstrong in Armstrong's All Stars. Young had one popular song, his version of "Margie," which he played and sang with Jimmie Lunceford's orchestra in 1937. While working with Armstrong, Young changed the way he played to match Armstrong's style of jazz.

Biography

Trummy Young was born in Savannah, Georgia, United States, and grew up in Richmond, Virginia. He originally played the trumpet but switched to the trombone before his professional debut in 1928. From 1933 to 1937, he was part of Earl Hines's orchestra. He then joined Jimmie Lunceford's orchestra, where he performed from 1937 to 1943. During this time, he recorded a hit song called "Margie" for Decca Records, which included his vocal performance. With Sy Oliver, he co-wrote the song "Tain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It)," which became a hit for both Lunceford and Ella Fitzgerald in 1939. Other songs he composed include "Easy Does It" (1939; co-written with Oliver) and "Trav'lin' Light" (1942; co-written with Jimmy Mundy, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer).

In 1945, Young joined Benny Goodman and played solos on several popular records, including the No. 2 hit "Gotta Be This or That." He also performed with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie on a session led by Clyde Hart in 1945 and with Jazz at the Philharmonic. In September 1952, he became a member of the Louis Armstrong All-Stars and remained with the group for twelve years. He appeared in the musical film High Society (1956). He also acted in the Universal-International biopic The Glenn Miller Story (1954), alongside Louis Armstrong, Gene Krupa, and Barney Bigard. Young performed with Louis Armstrong and his All-Stars at the ninth Cavalcade of Jazz concert held at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles on June 7, 1953. The concert was organized by Leon Hefflin, Sr. Young often played alongside trumpeters, such as in their version of "St. Louis Blues" on Armstrong's W.C. Handy tribute album. In 1964, Young stopped touring to live in Hawaii, though he occasionally participated in jazz events and special performances.

According to his own account published in the July 22, 1977, issue of Awake! magazine by Jehovah's Witnesses, he became a Jehovah's Witness in 1964. He was married to Sally Tokashiki, and they had two daughters: Andrea, a jazz singer, and Barbara. Young passed away in September 1984 at the age of 72 due to a cerebral hemorrhage.

Discography

• Jimmie Lunceford performs "Hi-Fi," Billy May and His Orchestra, released by Capitol in 1957
• The Mildred Bailey Radio Show from 1944 to 1945, Mildred Bailey, released by Sunbeam in 1975
• "A Man and His Horn," released by Flair in 1975
• "Oleo," performed by Urbie Green, Ross Tompkins, Carl Fontana, Kai Winding, James Moody, Dick Hyman, and Trummy Young, released by Pausa in 1978
• "Swing Is Here," Chris Barber, released by Black Lion in 1979
• "Someday," released by Chiaroscuro in 1980
• "Los Grandes Del Jazz 68," performed by Louis Armstrong, Peanuts Hucko, Trummy Young, and Billy Kyle, released by Sarpe in 1981
• "Satchmo Plays King Oliver," performed by Louis Armstrong, Peanuts Hucko, Trummy Young, and Billy Kyle, released by Curcio in 1982
• "Tribute to Louis Armstrong," performed by Peanuts Hucko, Billy Butterfield, Trummy Young, Marty Napoleon, Jack Lesberg, and Gus Johnson, released by Jazz Heritage in 1985

• "How Hi the Fi," released by Columbia in 1954
• "Jumpin' at the Woodside," released by Columbia in 1955