AlHirt

Alois Maxwell Hirt was born in New Orleans in 1922 and studied at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music before returning to his hometown to pursue a career in jazz. His extraordinary technique — developed through serious classical training — combined with the warmth and swing of the New Orleans tradition to produce a trumpeter of unique ability.

Hirt became a star in the 1960s, recording for RCA Victor and scoring several major pop hits. 'Java' (1964) won Best Performance by an Orchestra or Instrumentalist with Orchestra, Not for Jazz or Dancing at the 6th Grammy Awards and reached number 4 on the pop charts — a remarkable crossover for a jazz instrumentalist.

He owned and operated Al Hirt's Club on Bourbon Street for years, one of the most famous jazz venues in the city. His recordings made him a household name across America, and his physical presence — a large man with enormous personality — made him a favorite on television variety shows of the era.

Hirt died in 1999, having spent most of his life performing and recording in and from New Orleans. He and Pete Fountain were the two great mainstream jazz stars produced by the city in the postwar decades, beloved by audiences far beyond the traditional jazz audience.