* En anglais uniquement
Although born in New Orleans -- the birthplace of jazz --
Wynn actually learned to play in Chicago, where his family had moved when he was a child. He began trombone while in school and he played left-handed for a time. During the '20s, he played with
Ma Rainey and Charlie Creath. From 1926-1928,
Wynn led his own group, first around Chicago, then in France and Germany. In 1929, he joined Sam Wooding's band in Spain, remaining for about a year and a half. He stayed in Europe until 1932.
Wynn then moved to New York, where he worked with the Bechet-Ladnier Feetwarmers for a short time before returning to Chicago. He played with various musicians, including
Jimmie Noone,
Earl Hines, and
Carroll Dickerson before joining
Fletcher Henderson in 1937. He left
Henderson in 1939; later that year, he played in
Noone's big band.
Wynn freelanced around Chicago for most of the '40s, also running a record shop and co-owning the Ebony Lounge for a time. He continued playing during the '50s with
Lil Armstrong,
Baby Dodds, and
Floyd Jackson, among others. He played with
Franz Jackson from 1956-1960 and the Gold Coast Jazz Band from 1960-1964. In 1961,
Wynn recorded with
Lil Armstrong and as a leader for Riverside's Living Legends series. He curtailed his musical activities in the mid-'60s due to poor health. ~ Chris Kelsey