Herman Fowlkes, Jr.

Herman Fowlkes, Jr. (September 21, 1919 – April 3, 1993) was an American jazz musician and educator from Chicago, Illinois. Herman Fowlkes, Jr. was the first of two children born to Herman Fowlkes, Sr. and Marie Payne. As a youngster growing up in Chicago Heights, Illinois, he received classical musical training on the violin. Fowlkes later exchanged his violin for the trumpet and became immersed in the burgeoning music scene of post-prohibition era Chicago. At the age of 23, he joined the U.S. Army and traveled south with the 201st AGF Band. While stationed in Mississippi at Camp Shelby, the 201st AGP Band performed for many college and social club dances. It was during one of these dances that Fowlkes met his future wife, Mary...