Biography
A skilled trumpeter whose professional path kept him largely removed from widespread recognition, Pee Wee Erwin nonetheless produced numerous strong recordings across the decades. He first picked up the trumpet at age four. Engagements with regional ensembles preceded associations with Joe Haymes from 1931 to 1933 and Isham Jones from 1933 to 1934. He then relocated to New York, where he established himself as a prolific studio player and frequent radio performer, among them appearances alongside Benny Goodman in 1934–1935. Following a period with Ray Noble in 1935, he replaced Bunny Berigan in the Benny Goodman orchestra in 1936 and later in the Tommy Dorsey orchestra from 1937 to 1939. Attempts to lead his own big band proved unsuccessful both in 1941–1942 and again in 1946. Throughout the 1950s he maintained a steady presence performing Dixieland at Nick’s, and in the following decade he co-directed a trumpet school with Chris Griffin, counting Warren Vache among the pupils. He continued performing regularly for the remainder of his life. Erwin recorded sporadically as a leader during the 1950s, among them two dates for United Artists, and he completed six albums between 1980 and 1981—three issued by Qualtro and one by Jazzology—demonstrating undiminished command well into his later years.
Albums
