Getty H. Huffine

Who was Getty H. Huffine?

Getty Herschel Huffine was an American music composer, trombonist and tuba player. He was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky on August 25, 1889, the eldest of 4 children.

He was employed at an axe handle factory and, when the Bowling Green town band was organized in 1907, he was accepted on the condition that he play valve trombone, a trombone with a fixed slide and valves such as a euphonium. He was a self-taught musician. During the next five years Huffine taught himself tuba as well as the basics of harmony, counterpoint and composition. It is reputed that he spend his mature years as a tubist in professional bands and possibly circus bands. It is reputed that he worked for C.L. Barnhouse as a music engraver, however there are no substantiating records. In 1919, Huffine settled in Binghamton, New York playing in the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Factory band playing tuba, as well as filling in on trumpet, trombone, and string bass.

Huffine died in Binghamton on February 12, 1947. The Endicott-Johnson shoe band, of which Getty Huffine was a member at the time of his death, played his famous march, "Them Basses", at the graveside.