Alton Purnell

Alton Purnell will always be best-known as a member of George Lewis' Ragtime Band, providing memorable introductions, basic but swinging solos and solid work in the ensembles. Purnell worked as a singer before becoming a professional pianist in his native New Orleans in 1928 and during the next decade he played with Isaiah Morgan, Alphonse Picou, "Big Eye" Louis Nelson, Sidney Desvigne's big band and Cousin Joe among many others. Although obviously not able to be part of a brass band, Purnell played fairly steadily in New Orleans, gigging at local clubs and cabarets. He became...