Earl Humphrey

Who was Earl Humphrey?

Earl Humphrey was an American jazz trombonist. He was the brother of noted New Orleans jazz players Willie Humphrey and Percy Humphrey.

Earl Humphrey learned to play trombone from his grandfather, and joined a traveling circus with his father in 1919. He traveled widely in the 1920s, and in 1927 recorded with Louis Dumaine. He played through the 1930s but retired to Virginia in the 1940s. In 1963 he returned to New Orleans and played in the band of his brother Percy, including on the album Jazz City Studio. He recorded as a bandleader in 1966, releasing the album Igor's Imperial Orchestra.