Albert Wynn was best known for his work in the 1920s, although he survived and continued playing into the mid-'60s.
Wynn grew up in Chicago, where he was based throughout most of his life. Early in his career,
Wynn played in the Bluebirds' Kids Band and toured with
Ma Rainey.
Wynn performed and recorded with
Charlie Creath's
Jazz-O-Maniacs in St. Louis (1927) and spent time in Europe (1928-1932), working for 18 months with
Sam Wooding. After returning to the U.S., he performed briefly with
Sidney Bechet's
New Orleans Feetwarmers (1932) and then worked in Chicago with
Carroll Dickerson,
Jesse Stone,
Reuben "River" Reeves,
Jimmie Noone,
Richard M. Jones, and
the Earl Hines Orchestra.
Wynn was part of
Fletcher Henderson's orchestra (1937-1939), played with
Jimmie Noone's short-lived
big band, and in the 1940s performed with many local groups, including bands featuring
Baby Dodds and
Lil Armstrong. He also owned a record store. A member of
Franz Jackson's Original Jazz All-Stars (1956-1960),
Wynn had his last major job playing with Gold Coast Jazz Band (1960-1964).
Albert Wynn recorded six songs as a leader during the 1926-1928 period (among his sidemen were
Barney Bigard on tenor and cornetist
Punch Miller) and in 1961 led a set for Riverside and recorded an album with
Lil Armstrong; both of the latter have since been reissued on CD. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
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