WKCR is excited to announce a special birthday broadcast in honor of one of the most influential trumpeters in the world of jazz, Roy Eldridge.

Roy Eldridge, born on January 30, 1911, in Pittsburg, PA, moved to Harlem, New York in 1930 and made his mark as a virtuoso trumpeter very quickly through his work with a number of dance bands. This led to his hire in groups such as the Teddy Hill band and the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra, where he was featured for his unmatched upper register abilities, as well as his skill as a soloist. In the mid forties and fifties Eldridge showed his potential in smaller group settings, touring with and making many notable recordings with the likes of Coleman Hawkins, Benny Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, and Johnny Hodges. Stylistically, Eldridge is one of the key figures of jazz trumpet playing, because he is a bridge between multiple eras. His music represents a link between the Big Band era style of Louis Armstrong and of the Bebop era style of Dizzy Gillespie, who testified to Eldridge’s influence upon him.

After a stroke in 1980 which stopped him from playing the trumpet, Eldridge continued to make music as a singer and pianist until his death in 1989.

To commemorate Roy Eldridge's birthday, WKCR's special broadcast will present a carefully crafted playlist, curated to highlight the importance and depth of his illustrious career.

Listeners can tune in to the WKCR birthday broadcast of Roy Eldridge on 89.9FM or stream it live on our website, wkcr.org