Freddie Keppard

Freddie Keppard (born February 27, 1890, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA - died July 15, 1933, Chicago, Illinois, USA) was an American jazz cornetist, trumpeter and bandleader.

He is regarded as the first worthy successor to the great cornetist Buddy Bolden. His first professional engagement was with nell'Olympia Orchestra (around 1905) and then he played with Frankie Dusen's Eagle Band. In 1914, he moved to Los Angeles, California with the Original Creole Orchestra and toured the United States. About 1917, he moved to Chicago and worked with Doc Cook, Erskine Tate, Ollie Powers and Charlie Elgar. Keppard recorded between 1923-1927 with the Jazz Cardinals. Keppard suffered from alcoholism and tuberculosis in his final years and his playing suffered as a result. Brother of jazz guitarist and tubist Louis Keppard.