Johnny Claes

Johnny Claes (1916-1956) was an English jazz trumpeter.

Claes was born in London to a Belgian father and Scottish mother. He hadtrumpet lessons with Nat Gonella and by 1935 was working at the Nest Club in London. In 1937 he recorded with Gerry Moore for Decca. He then played in various bands in a number of countries across Europe, including Switzerland, The Netherlands, and Belgium. While in The Netherlands in 1937 he played in The Coleman Hawkins Band from August to September. He returned to the Boogie Woogie Club in London from March to August 1940, and then joined the Teddy Joyce Orchestra from August 1940 to February 1941.

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