Research Catalog

Title

Oral history interview with Johnny Coles.

Publication

New York : Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 1993.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Coles, Johnny
• Murray, James Briggs
• Owens, Jimmy, 1943-
• Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
• Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.

Description

3 videodiscs (133 min.) : sound, color; 4 3/4 in.

Summary

At the age of 12 his family moved to Philadelphia where he spent the rest of his childhood. Self-taught but studied technique with various trumpet players in the Philadelphia area such as Charlie Gaines. Began playing in Philadelphia jazz clubs. Joe Wilder, Jimmy Heath and Miles Davis were early influences on his trumpet playing. In 1948 he joined Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson's band where he played with John Coltrane and Red Garland. In 1951 he joined the Eddie Vinson band playing rhythm and blues. After leaving Eddie Vinson's band he played with Bullmoose Jackson and Philly Joe Jones, Earl Bostic and James Moody.

Subjects

• Trumpet players > United States > Interviews
• Coles, Johnny > Childhood and youth
• Moody, James
• Flügelhorn music (Jazz)
• Jackson, Bull Moose, 1919-1989 > Influence
• Vinson, Eddie
• Jones, Philly Joe
• Coles, Johnny > Interviews
• Flügelhorn
• Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971 > Influence
• Wilder, Joe > Influence
• Gaines, Charlie, 1900-1987 > Influence
• Coles, Johnny > Family
• Coltrane, John, 1926-1967
• Bostic, Earl, 1913-1965
• Heath, Jimmy > Influence
• Garland, Red
• Trumpet music (Jazz)
• Davis, Miles > Influence
• Trumpet > Technique
• African American musicians

Note

• The Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project was funded by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc.

Terms of Use (note)

• Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact repository for information.

Biography (note)

• Johnny Coles (July 3, 1926, Trenton, New Jersey -- December 21, 1997, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) was an American jazz trumpeter and flugelhorn player. Coles spent his early career playing with R&B groups, including those of Eddie Vinson (1948-1951), Bull Moose Jackson (1952), and Earl Bostic (1955-1956).

Linking Entry (note)

• Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.

Call Number

Sc Visual DVD-1087

OCLC

1122566945

Title

Oral history interview with Johnny Coles.

Publisher

New York : Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 1993.

Type of Content

two-dimensional moving image

Type of Medium

video

Type of Carrier

videodisc

Digital File Characteristics

video file DVD

Performer

Interview conducted by Jimmy Owens.

Event

Recorded July 29, 1993 at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Terms Of Use

Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact repository for information.

Biography

Johnny Coles (July 3, 1926, Trenton, New Jersey -- December 21, 1997, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) was an American jazz trumpeter and flugelhorn player. Coles spent his early career playing with R&B groups, including those of Eddie Vinson (1948-1951), Bull Moose Jackson (1952), and Earl Bostic (1955-1956).

Linking Entry

Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.

Connect to:

Request Access to Schomburg Moving Images and Recorded Sound

Added Author

Coles, Johnny, interviewee.

Murray, James Briggs, director.

Murray, James Briggs, producer.

Owens, Jimmy, 1943- interviewer.

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.

Research Call Number

Sc Visual DVD-1087

Sc Visual VRC-297 MII videocassette