Trent, Alphonso (also Alphonse)

views updated

Trent, Alphonso (also Alphonse)

Trent, Alphonso (also Alphonse), jazz band leader, pianist; b. Fort Smith, Ark., Aug. 24, 1905; d. there, Oct. 14, 1959. The six titles recorded by his band in 1933 support the oral testimony of many musicians to the energy, creativity and fine soloists (notably Stuff Smith and Peanuts Holland) of his group. He studied at Shorter Coll. in Little Rock, Ark. (1923-24), worked with Eugene Crook’s Synco Six, was later appointed leader and this became his band (c. 1924). Gained long residency at Adolphus Hotel, Dallas, Tex., with radio broadcasts, regular touring during the late 1920s including dates at the Savoy Ballroom, N.Y. until 1934 when he temporarily retired from music. Led own small band regularly from 1938, later returned to his home town, where he did part-time playing.

Discography

Richmond Rarities: The Complete Recordings of Alex Johnson, Red Perkins, Alphonso Trent, and Zack Whyte (1998).

—John Chilton/Lewis Porter

More From encyclopedia.com