Jon Eardley

Jon Eardley (September 30, 1928, Altoona, Pennsylvania - April 1, 1991, Lambermont near Verviers in Belgium) was an American jazz trumpeter.

Eardley first started on trumpet at the age of 11; his father had played in Paul Whiteman's orchestra. He played in an Air Force band in Washington, D.C. from 1946 to 1949, then played with his own quartet in D.C. from 1950 to 1953. He moved to New York City in 1953, playing with Phil Woods (1954), Gerry Mulligan (1954-57), and Hal McIntyre (1956). Following this he returned to his hometown and played there until 1963, when he moved to Belgium. In 1969 he moved to Cologne, Germany, playing there with Harald Banter and Chet Baker and working through the 1980s. The last years before death he played in the WDR Big Band Cologne, Germany. Jon Eardley is not particularly well known in his native country but became a highly respected musician in Europe.

Discography

 * Jon Eardley In Hollywood (New Jazz 1105) - Original title: "First Sessions" (Prestige Records LP 250/LP 7005) with Pete Cera (p), Red Mitchell (b), Larry Bunker (dr) - recorded in Los Angeles 1954
 * The Jon Eardley Quintet (Prestige Records, 1954)
 * Hey, There (Prestige Records LP 7055/LP 205) with J.R. Monterose (ts), George Syran (p), Teddy Kotick (b), Nick Stabulas (dr) - recorded in New York City March 14th, 1955
 * The Jon Eardley Seven (Prestige Records LP 7033 OJC-123) with Zoot Sims (ts), Phil Woods (as), Milt Gold (tb), George Syran (p), Teddy Kotick (b), Nick Stabulas (dr) - recorded in New York City January 13th, 1956
 * Namely Me (Spotlite Records SPJ LP 17) with Pete King (as), John Taylor (p), Ron Mathewson (b), Mickey Roker (dr) - recorded in London August 12th/13th, 1977
 * Stablemates (Spotlite Records SPJ LP11) with Art Themen (ts), Al Haig (p), Daryl Runswick (b), Allan Ganley (dr) - recorded in London September 16th, 1977
 * Two Of A Kind (Spotlite Records SPJ LP 16) with Mick Pyne (p) - recorded in London September 12th, 1977
 * My Funny Valentine & Round Midnight (Circle Records (Germany) RK 23581/24 & /25) with Chet Baker (tp & voc), Bob Mover (as), Dennis Luxion (p), Rocky Knauer (b), Burkhart Ruckert (dr) - recorded live in Salt Peanuts Club Cologne (Germany) May 21 & 23, 1981