Clyde Hurley

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Clyde Hurley (September 3, 1916 in Fort Worth, TX - September, 1963) was a trumpeter during the Big Band era. Hurley took the trumpet solo on Glenn Miller’s hit song, "In The Mood." According to Scott Yanow in his biography of Clyde Hurley, Hurley "was a(n excellent) trumpeter with a fat tone and a hard-driving style."

Clyde Hurley was born in Fort Worth, Texas. A self-taught trumpeter (he soloed along with Louis Armstrong records), he started out working with territory bands. In 1937, Hurley joined Ben Pollack’s band. After a while with Pollack, Hurley became a studio musician in Los Angeles. However, in 1938, Glenn Miller signed him up. During the time he was with Miller, Hurley was one of the key soloists, appearing on the bands studio recordings and live performances (Carnegie Hall, etc.). Hurley left Miller in 1940 and joined Tommy Dorsey and then joined Artie Shaw in 1941.

After his stint with Shaw, he then went on to do freelance work in the studios (MGM, 1944-1949, and NBC, 1950-1955). During the 1950s, Hurley played in Dixieland groups, recording with Matty Matlock’s Rampart Street Paraders. In 1954, he recorded with Ralph Sutton and Edmond Hall at the Club Hangover, where they, fortunately, recorded live.

During his career, Clyde Hurley led two recording dates of his own, both of which resulted in four numbers (Keynote in 1946 and Crown in 1950).

Clyde Hurley died in 1963.

[edit] REFERENCE/SOURCE

  • ARTIST Direct biography of Clyde Hurley, written by Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.


Hurley also played the trumpet solo on Miller's "Tuxedo Junction." His later studio work in lthe 50's included sessions with Paul Weston, most notably a solo on "Memories of You" on Weston's album "Solo Flight." He died on August 15, 1963, in Fort Worth. Hurley was still playing with Paul Whiteman at the Glen Island Casino in New York when he got the call to join Miller's band. He was recommended by fellow Texan, saxaphonist Tex Beneke. 68.35.129.139 16:35, 17 December 2006 (UTC).