Keppard, Freddie

African-American jazz cornetist; b. New Orleans, Feb. 15, 1889; d. Chicago, July 15, 1933. Keppard learned to play the MANDOLIN, VIOLIN, and ACCORDION before mastering the CORNET. In 1906 he organized his own group, the Olympia Orchestra, and in 1912 became coleader of the Original Creole Orchestra, playing with it in Los Angeles, Chicago, and N.Y.

After moving to Chicago, Keppard played with "King" Oliver, Jimmie Noone, and others. Although forgotten in the last years of his life, he was a pioneer jazz figure. He had few equals as a cornetist in his time.