George "Pee Wee" Erwin (May 30, 1913 – June 20, 1981) was an American jazz trumpeter.
An excellent trumpeter who spent most of his career on the fringe of fame, Pee Wee Erwin made many fine records during his career. He was born in Falls City, Nebraska, United States. Erwin started on trumpet at age four and made his first radio broadcast four years later.
He had his first professional engagement as a soloist with the radio station of the Kansas City Star on a program called "The Night Hawks" on Station WDAF in 1921. He also played with the Coon-Sanders Band, which was well known in Chicago, in 1922-23. He then played in several territory bands on the Orpheum circuit before joining the groups of Joe Haymes (1931–33) and Isham Jones (1933–34).
He then moved to New York City. His wide range and skills as a sight reader and improvisor caused him to be much in demand for radio sessions. He played with Benny Goodman in 1934-35, then with Ray Noble in 1935; the next year he rejoined Goodman, taking Bunny Berigan's empty chair. In 1937, he again followed Berigan, this time in Tommy Dorsey's orchestra, where he remained until 1939.
Erwin put together an unsuccessful big band in 1941-1942 and tried again with little luck in 1946. In 1949 he began leading an ensemble which became resident at Nick's in New York City, for much of the 1950s.He settled in New Milford, New Jersey, and played Dixieland jazz in New Orleans. Erwin led sessions on an occasional basis in the 1950s, including a couple for United Artists. In the 1960s formed his own trumpet school with Chris Griffin; among its graduates was Warren Vaché.
He also became increasingly active in radio and TV work. On the NYC staff of CBS, he played regularly for the Garry Moore, Carol Burnett, Candid Camera and Jackie Gleason shows. From 1963 on he had a weekly radio jazz show with Ed Joyce. His playing retained its spirit and verve throughout the following decade, when he toured Europe with Warren Covington, the Kings of Jazz (his own band, 1974) and the New York Jazz Repertory Company.
.jpg)
Pee Wee Erwin and made six albums during 1980-1981, including three for Qualtro and one for Jazzology, still sounding quite good that late in his career. He also published "This Horn for Hire" with Warren W. Vaché, Sr. In May 1981, Erwin performed at the Breda Jazz Festival in the Netherlands, weeks before his death on June 20, 1981 in Teaneck, New Jersey, at the age of 68.
(Edited from Wikipedia, AllMusic & Altissimo)