Wendell Brunious, born on October 27, 1954 in New Orleans, Louisiana, is an American jazz trumpeter and bandleader. Born into a musical family, Brunious began playing trumpet at age 11. His early career included singing in Chief John and the Mahogany Hall Stompers. In 1976, he substituted for his father in Albert "Papa" French's band for Mardi Gras. In 1979, Brunious began playing regularly at Preservation Hall with Kid Thomas Valentine, becoming the leader of the group upon Valentine’s death in 1987. He released his first album, In The Tradition, in 1986. Throughout his career, Brunious collaborated with various artists including Lionel Hampton and Louis Nelson.
