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Rapp on Jazz: Pete Minger

Bebop jazz trumpeter and composer Pete Minger was born George Allen Minger on January 22, 1953 in Orangeburg, SC.

Like so many of the Palmetto State's musicians, Minger came from a musical family with strong ties to their church, where he gained a lifelong devotion to both his music and his faith.

While he started out playing saxophone, the influence of Louis Armstrong caused Minger to switch to trumpet. By the age of 14, he was playing professionally.

After attending college and serving in the army, Minger joined Count Basie's orchestra throughout the 1970s. He then recorded for and toured with such jazz luminaries as Big Joe Turner, Ella Fitzgerald, Milt Jackson, and Mel Torme.

In the 1980s, Minger settled down in Florida, becoming an influential music educator, ordained minister, and a mainstay of the Florida jazz scene.

Pete Minger passed away in 2000.

This has been Rapp on Jazz, a co-production of the ColaJazz Foundation and SC Public Radio. Support for this program is made possible in part by Fox Music House of Columbia and Charleston.