Jiver Hutchinson

Who was Jiver Hutchinson?

Leslie George "Jiver" Hutchinson was a Jamaican jazz trumpeter and bandleader. Hutchinson played in the band of Bertie King in Jamaica in the 1930s, then moved to England, where he played with Happy Blake's Cuba Club Band. In 1936 he played in Leslie Thompson's Emperors of Jazz and in 1938 with Ken Snakehips Johnson, then joined Geraldo's band in 1939. He led his own ensemble from 1944 to 1950, featuring many of the musicians from Thompson's band. His ensemble toured the UK and Europe, and did concerts in India in 1945. He also recorded with the ensemble in 1947. He returned to play with Geraldo after the group's dissolution, and recorded with Mary Lou Williams in 1952.

Hutchinson was killed in a car crash in Weeting in 1959 while on tour with his band. His daughter is the singer Elaine Delmar.