Herb Morand was a fine New Orleans-style trumpeter best-known for his association with the Harlem Hamfats in the 1930's. He began playing trumpet when he was 11 after having heard King Oliver. One of his first important jobs was touring the South with Nat Towles. After moving to New York in the mid-1920's, he worked with his stepsister Lizzie Miles and played with Cliff Jackson's band. Back in New Orleans, Morand led his own group and played with the legendary (but unrecorded) Chris Kelly. He soon relocated to Chicago where he worked locally and recorded with the Beale Street Washboard Band (a quartet that included Johnny Dodds) in 1929. Morand was the main soloist with the Harlem Hamfats during 1935-38; the group played swing, New Orleans jazz ensembles, blues, jive and (thanks to some strong mandolin playing by Charlie McCoy) country. After returning to New Orleans in 1941, Morand led his own band and became a member of George Lewis' group (1948-50) before illness forced him to retire. In addition to his many recordings with the Hamfats during 1936-1938 and with Lewis, Morand recorded a few selections as a leader for the American Music label during 1949-50. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi