Jimmie Lunceford

True, James Melvin Lunceford’s musical career could be tracked back to 1926 when he received his music degree from Fisk University, but it could be argued that his musical journey really began as Athletic Director at Manassas High in Memphis, TN one year later.

It was then that Jimmie Lunceford (later to be jokingly called “Piggie” by his band mates) organized a group of students under the name Chickasaw Syncopators which evolved into his namesake orchestra. 

Jimmie’s preference to his signature “Lunceford Two- Beat” over the standard 4 beat rhythm ensured his place among the greats of jazz history. His signature rhythm technique coupled with his commitment to enrich and educate has inspired long after his untimely passing in 1947 during and autograph session prior to a scheduled performance at McElroy’s.

In July 2005, the Jimmie Lunceford Legacy Orchestra made their debut at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands lead by Robert Veen. Two years later, Bro. Ronald Cortez Herd II established the Jimmie Lunceford Jamboree Festival at which exceptional musicians with ties to Memphis are honored. On July 19th, 2009, Jimmie Lunceford was posthumously honored for his impact to the jazz community with a Brass Note embossed with his name to be permanently on display on the world-famous Beale Street Walk of Fame.

Enjoy the Listen!