Visceral vocalist and trumpeter Elmer "Coo Coo" Talbert is mainly remembered for the recordings he made with the George Lewis Jazz Band during the years 1949 and 1950. Talbert was born in New Orleans, LA, on August 8, 1900. His first regular job as a professional musician was as a member of the Olympia Brass Band with Lewis (who had replaced clarinetist Alphonse Picou), trombonist Ike Robertson, pianist Lester Santiago, banjoist Benny Benoit, bassist Thomas Copland, and drummer/leader Arnold DePass. The year was 1929, and the band spent much of its time serenading white audiences at the Southern Yacht Club and the Ponchartrain Hotel. Unfortunately, no recordings have survived from this chapter in their respective careers, and it would be nearly two decades before Lewis and Talbert would have a chance to collaborate again.
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