Memphis’ forgotten figures: Jimmie Lunceford

By , Daily Memphian Published: April 05, 2026 4:00 AM CT

You might not have heard of Jimmie Lunceford, a jazz musician and band leader. But in the 1930s, this Memphian was a major star.

Topics

Music history jazz Education schools
John Klyce

John Klyce

John Klyce is an enterprise reporter with The Daily Memphian who writes a wide range of in-depth features, as well as profiles about local leaders, scientists, musicians, artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone else doing exciting and important work in this city. He previously spent four years with the Memphis Business Journal, where he covered public companies, startups, and innovation, and a fifth year with The Commercial Appeal, where he covered education, and chronicled how gun violence and poverty were affecting Memphis youth and their families. He has also been a fellow with the Institute for Citizens and Scholars. John has a B.A. in journalism from the University of Memphis and an M.F.A. in creative writing from Boston University.


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