Today in Wheeling History: September 13—Leon Brown “Chu” Berry, an influential American jazz tenor saxophonist of the 1930s, was born in Wheeling (1908).
Leon "Chu" Berry, a prominent jazz tenor saxophonist, graduated from Lincoln High School in Wheeling and later spent three years at West Virginia State College near Charleston. With a stepsister who played piano, Berry developed a passion for music at a young age and initially played alto saxophone in local bands. He gained his nickname due to his habit of chewing on the saxophone mouthpiece or his Fu Manchu mustache. However, after being inspired by Coleman Hawkins' tour performances, he switched to the tenor sax. Although influenced by Hawkins, Berry's style earned him recognition as an equal by the older musician.. Tragically, Berry's life was cut short at the age of 33 due to a car accident. Nonetheless, his impact on jazz remains significant, with musicians like Branford Marsalis and James Carter acknowledging his influence. Born on September 13, 1908, in Wheeling to parents Brown Berry and Maggie Glasgow Berry, Chu Berry's potential to become one of the greatest jazz saxophonists of the 20th century was tragically unrealized. (https://rb.gy/8bgeg) (https://rb.gy/4s0wx)
Leon "Chu" Berry, a prominent jazz tenor saxophonist, graduated from Lincoln High School in Wheeling and later spent three years at West Virginia State College near Charleston. With a stepsister who played piano, Berry developed a passion for music at a young age and initially played alto saxophone in local bands. He gained his nickname due to his habit of chewing on the saxophone mouthpiece or his Fu Manchu mustache. However, after being inspired by Coleman Hawkins' tour performances, he switched to the tenor sax. Although influenced by Hawkins, Berry's style earned him recognition as an equal by the older musician.. Tragically, Berry's life was cut short at the age of 33 due to a car accident. Nonetheless, his impact on jazz remains significant, with musicians like Branford Marsalis and James Carter acknowledging his influence. Born on September 13, 1908, in Wheeling to parents Brown Berry and Maggie Glasgow Berry, Chu Berry's potential to become one of the greatest jazz saxophonists of the 20th century was tragically unrealized. (https://rb.gy/8bgeg) (https://rb.gy/4s0wx)
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