BERIGAN, Rowland Bernard "Bunny".

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Typed letter signed; together with signed promotional photo postcard. From the collection of Rolling Stones drummer and jazz aficionado Charlie Watts. Autograph material by the great jazz trumpeter is notably thin on the ground, and this is a most attractive pairing. As a soloist Berigan (1908-1942) could be "wildly exciting or meltingly lyrical" and though he died young he "left a legacy of wonderful music" (Cook & Morton).In response to a young fan's letter, Berigan writes; "Thanks millions for your kind comments … I appreciate them sincerely. I am sending you my autographed photo. Here's hoping you'll be in our unseen audience every time we take the air... I hope you'll drop in to see us and swing out... Cordially yours, Bunny Berigan". Accompanying this is a promotional postcard of the Berigan Orchestra signed by the trumpeter in white ink to lower right side, with original transmission envelope, post marked May 2 1938.Bunny Berigan's short life is an all too perfect fit for the stereotypical "jazz life". Like his famous contemporary and peer, Bix Beiderbecke, Berigan was addicted to alcohol, an addiction which led to his death at the age of 33. Prodigiously gifted, Berigan was playing professionally in his late teens before coming to fame with the Benny Goodman band of the mid-30s. He then spent time as a featured soloist with the Tommy Dorsey band, before assembling his own orchestra in 1937 and launching his solo career with an immortal version of "I Can't Get Started"

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