Crumbley, Elmer (E.)
Crumbley, Elmer (E.)
Crumbley, Elmer (E.) , jazz trombonist, singer; b. Kingfisher, Okla., Aug. 1, 1908; d. Brooklyn, N.Y., Sept. 17, 1993. Brother George was a trumpeter. Family moved to Denver, Colo., in 1910, then to Omaha, Nebr., in 1915. He joined Lloyd Hunter in 1923, and worked with him until 1929, except six months in 1927 with the Dandie Dixie Minstrels. Crumbley worked with various leaders in Kansas City, Omaha, and Lincoln, Nebr., through late 1931, and then rejoined Hunter until September 1932. He worked with various other leaders in the area, and then led his own band in 1934. He joined Jimmie Lunceford in December 1934 and, except for short periods of absence, remained until the leader’s death in 1947; subsequently worked with Eddie Wilcox Band. Crumbley was with Lucky Millinder during the early 1950s, then played in Erskine Hawkins7 Band. He went to Europe in October 1958 with Sammy Price and then worked with Reuben Phillips Band at Apollo during late 1950s and early 1960s. He continued to play regularly through mid-1960s, including with big bands specially re-formed by Cab Calloway and Earl Hines.
—John Chilton/Lewis Porter