ROY ELDRIDGE (trumpeter, bandleader) was born January 30, 1911 and passed away February 26, 1989. Known as “Little Jazz” Eldridge’s virtuosity and versatility was seen by many as the stylistic bridge between the swing and bebop eras and in fact was a major influence on Dizzy Gillespie. Having studied drums, Eldridge provided rhythmic intensity and swing to bands such as Fletcher Henderson, Gene Krupa , Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman and Count Basie as well as co-leading a band with Coleman Hawkins (one of his early influences) in addition to leading his own bands. The innovative and energetic trumpeter was inducted into the Downbeat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1971.