Clyde Bernhardt

Clyde Bernhardt had a lengthy and episodic career. A decent trombone soloist who could play classic jazz, swing, Dixieland, and early R&B, Bernhardt was never a major innovator, but he was a talented entertainer and an effective blues singer. Bernhardt grew up in Harrisburg, PA. He had a rough childhood but was influenced as a teenager by music after seeing Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith perform. Bernhardt started on the trombone when he was 17 and developed fairly quickly. During 1923-1931 he had gigs with many now-forgotten bands including Bill Eady's Ellwood Syncopators, Tillie...