1900 – Birth of Jazz Icon Tommy Ladnier

Tommy Ladnier, a legendary jazz trumpeter, was born on May 28, 1900, in Mandeville, Louisiana. A key figure in the early development of jazz, Ladnier played alongside greats like Sidney Bechet and Louis Armstrong, helping define the genre’s golden age. Known for his lyrical phrasing and emotive style, Ladnier brought blues sensibility into the evolving New Orleans jazz sound. He was part of the Harlem Renaissance scene and later collaborated with Bessie Smith and Noble Sissle. Though his life was tragically cut short at age 39, his impact on jazz is still felt today. May 28 celebrates the birth of a foundational Black American artist who helped shape global music culture. Ladnier’s work reminds us that jazz is not only a musical innovation but also a form of Black artistic sovereignty that echoes freedom, improvisation, and resilience.