Trummy Young

Ira Nepus is the type of musician who is always looking to expand his knowledge in order to be as useful a player as possible for each of his gigs.  The philosophy has become a trade mark for his TV and film work as well as in the recording studios for products ranging from rock to jazz.  At the center of this talent is a wonderful person, who cares for friendships and the discovery of new friends like his prized trombone.

Father Doran Stambaugh serves as the ordained priest at St. Michael’s By-the-Sea in Carlsbad, California, where he blends his love of faith and music through a unique program called Jazz Evensong. Held weekly, this special Sunday service features jazz performed by local musicians and prayers inspired by spiritual and musical traditions, honoring legends like Duke Ellington and Herbie Hancock. Father Doran also hosts a companion podcast, Jazz Legends, offering reflections on the artists and the music featured in each service.

Snooky Young was given his first trumpet from the local junk man who saw he had an interest in music, but whose family could not afford the expense. The gift served him well as young Snooky went on to record with the famous 1939 Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra, Count Basie, Gerald Wilson and Lionel Hampton. His influential style of muted horn can still be heard on records and in performances with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Band. With so much rich history, sitting with Snooky was a complete pleasure and thrill. Among the great stories he shared was how we received his nickname, from his

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Trummy Young was a noted jazz trombonist who performed and recorded with the likes of Jimmie Lunceford, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holiday.  While playing with the Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra for 6 years, Trummy also occasionally sang on the band’s 1937 hit record “Margie.”  It was while touring with Lunceford that Trummy befriended the arranger, Sy Oliver.  The two men co-wrote another hit for the band, “T’ain’t What You Do (It’s the Way That You Do It).

Andrea Young is the daughter of jazz trombonist James “Trummy” Young. As a child, she rode in the band bus with her father who at the time was a member of Louie Armstrong’s All Stars. As the group toured, Andrea met many musical icons and referred to many of the legendary performers that she knew as her uncles. In the 1970s she began singing with her father, who was also a noted songwriter who penned “Tain’t What You Do (It’s the Way That You Do It)” and “Trav’lin’ Light” which he co-wrote with Johnny Mercer and Jimmy Mundy.