Oklahoma Musicians

Jazz history

Billy Hunt

A 1967 Muskogee Daily Phoenix item preserved by the Gateway identifies Billy Riley Hunt as a Grove native, University of Oklahoma music-education graduate, professional trumpeter, band director, and performer with Billy May, Woody Herman, and Tommy Dorsey-related ensembles. The Hall-affiliated profile adds a 1935 birth claim and longer career chronology.

County navigation follows places named in the source records. A city crossing county boundaries can link to more than one county; this does not establish an exact historical location, birthplace or current residence.

Oklahoma connection

The contemporary newspaper independently identifies Grove birth/origin, OU education, Oklahoma band-director work, and professional trumpet activity.

Musical work and relationships

Trumpeter; band director; Billy May Orchestra; Woody Herman and Tommy Dorsey associations; OU music education.

Hall of Fame account

The Hall catalog lists Billy Hunt as a trumpeter inducted in 1996.

Evidence and remaining questions

The first name appears as Billy Riley Hunt, Billy Hunt, and Bill Riley Hunt; obtain a primary obituary or Hall file to confirm the identity and lifespan.

Sources

  1. gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc2558339/m1/6/ocr/
  2. jazzdepotlive.com/portfolio/billy-hunt-1996/
  3. www.honoringmemoriesgrove.com/obituaries/williambill-hunt
  4. www.okjazz.org/inductees/