Composer Spotlight: George Morrison

In Denver, Colorado, there is a park called George Morrison Park. It has a playground, tables for picnics, flowers, and lots of green grass. The park is named after one of Colorado’s greatest musicians. When I was growing up in Denver, my dad told me about the late George Morrison (1891–1974). He had known Morrison as a jazz band leader. My dad played trombone in bands around Denver and talked about some of the great bands you would listen to live in Denver. George Morrison’s band was one of the best.

When he was young, George Morrison practiced the violin and took lessons with one of the greatest violinists in history, named Fritz Kreisler. His family moved to Colorado when he was 11 years old. He loved all kinds of music, especially jazz. He went to the Columbia School of Music to study music composition and violin playing. Back in those days, African-Americans were not hired to play in symphony orchestras, so George started a jazz band, and they recorded many songs on records. He toured Europe in the 1930s and played for the King and Queen of England. He also played with jazz legends such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, and many other famous jazz musicians. When not touring, he taught music lessons to many students who couldn’t afford to pay. He also volunteered as an assistant instructor to music teachers at Whittier Elementary, Cole Junior High, and Manual High Schools. In 2023, Morrison was at last inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.

As we tour the cultural landscape of Colorado in upcoming Tiny Tots season, I wanted to feature a piece of music by George Morrison so that we could celebrate the story of one of Colorado’s historic musical legends. I received a copy of Five Violin Solos by George Morrison from Dr. Tami Lee Hughes, who is a concert violinist, recording artist, and teacher of music. I took the violin and piano music and arranged it for a full orchestra. This orchestration will be premiered this season at Tiny Tots Diverse Colorado in September and October.

Thank you, Dr. Tami Lee Hughes, and thank you, George Morrison!