Cy Touff

Bass trumpet

Born: March 4, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois

Died: January 24, 2003 in Evanston, Illinois

Established reputation on rare bass trumpet

Copyright © 2003 

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Cy (Cyril James) Touff played bass trumpet, an unusual horn then and now. He took up the instrument in the late 1940s, having earlier played piano, saxophone, xylophone, trumpet and trombone.

He studied with Lennie Tristano in his native Chicago, and played with a number of band leaders there. He worked with Woody Herman from 1953-6, and spent time on the west coast, where he performed and recorded with Ritchie Kamuca and others.

He returned to Chicago in the mid-50s, and continued to perform and do session work into the 1980s.


JJA members are invited to submit a full obituary or appreciation.