Ernie Royal Exhibit

Ernie Royal was one of the most respected and versatile trumpeters of the 20th century, admired for his brilliant technique, warm tone, and remarkable ability to move effortlessly between jazz and orchestral settings. Born in Los Angeles in 1921, Royal performed with major bandleaders including Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington, and became a highly sought-after New York studio musician. He appeared on countless recordings, film scores, television broadcasts, and commercial sessions, working with artists ranging from Miles Davis and Gil Evans to Frank Sinatra. In 1967, Royal broke an important barrier when he became the first Black musician to join the permanent roster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Though he rarely received the spotlight afforded to famous bandleaders and soloists, Ernie Royal was a true musician’s musician—a consummate professional whose beautiful sound and extraordinary versatility earned him enormous respect among his peers.