Alois Maxwell "Al" Hirt (November 7, 1922 – April 27, 1999) was an American… Read Full Bio ↴Alois Maxwell "Al" Hirt (November 7, 1922 – April 27, 1999) was an American trumpeter and bandleader. He is best remembered for his million-selling recordings of "Java" and the accompanying album Honey in the Horn (1963), and for the theme song to The Green Hornet. His nicknames included "Jumbo" and "The Round Mound of Sound". Colin Escott, an author of musician biographies, wrote that RCA Victor Records, for which Hirt had recorded most of his best-selling recordings and for which he had spent much of his professional recording career, had dubbed him with another moniker: "The King." Hirt was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in November 2009.
Hirt was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of a police officer. At the age of six, he was given his first trumpet, which had been purchased at a local pawnshop. He would play in the Junior Police Band with the children of Alcide Nunez, and by the age of 16, Hirt was playing professionally, often with his friend Pete Fountain. During this time, he was hired to play at the local horse racing track, beginning a six-decade connection to the sport.
In 1940, Hirt went to Cincinnati, Ohio, to study at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music with Dr. Frank Simon (a former soloist with the John Philip Sousa Orchestra). After a stint as a bugler in the United States Army during World War II, Hirt performed with various swing big bands, including those of Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, and Ina Ray Hutton.
In 1950, Hirt became first trumpet and featured soloist with Horace Heidt's Orchestra. After spending several years on the road with Heidt, Hirt returned to New Orleans working with various Dixieland groups and leading his own bands. Despite Hirt's statement years later "I'm not a jazz trumpeter and never was a jazz trumpeter", he made a few recordings where he demonstrated his ability to play in that style, during the 1950s with bandleader Monk Hazel, and a few other recordings on the local Southland Records label.
Hirt's virtuoso dexterity and fine tone on his instrument soon attracted the attention of major record labels and he signed with RCA Victor. Hirt posted twenty-two albums on the Billboard charts in the 1950s and 1960s. The albums Honey in the Horn and Cotton Candy were both in the Top 10 best sellers for 1964, the same year Hirt scored a hit single with his cover of Allen Toussaint's tune "Java" (Billboard No. 4), and later won a Grammy Award for the same recording. Both Honey in the Horn and "Java" sold over one million copies, and were awarded gold discs.
Hirt's Top 40 charted hit "Sugar Lips" in 1964 would be later used as the theme song for the NBC daytime game show Eye Guess, hosted by Bill Cullen and originally airing from January 1966 to September 1969.
Hirt was chosen to record the frenetic theme for the 1960s TV show The Green Hornet, by famed arranger and composer Billy May. Thematically reminiscent of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumblebee, it showcased Hirt's technical prowess. The recording again gained public attention in 2003 when it was used in the film Kill Bill.
From the mid-1950s to early 1960s, Hirt and his band played nightly at Dan's Pier 600 at the corner of St. Louis and Bourbon Street. The club was owned by his business manager, Dan Levy, Sr.
Al Hirt club on the corner of Bourbon Street and St Louis in the French Quarter, 1977
In 1962 Hirt opened his own club on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, which he ran until 1983. He also became a minority owner in the NFL expansion New Orleans Saints in 1967.
In 1962, in an effort to showcase him in a different musical setting, Hirt was teamed with arranger and composer Billy May and producer Steve Sholes to record an album titled Horn A Plenty that was a departure from the Dixieland material that he was generally associated with. Covering an eclectic variety of popular, standard and show tunes, it featured a big-band supplemented by timpani, French horns and harp. He also appeared opposite Troy Donahue and Suzanne Phlesette in the 1962 motion picture, "Rome Adventure."
In 1965, he hosted the hour-long television variety series Fanfare, which aired on CBS as a summer replacement for Jackie Gleason and the American Scene Magazine.
Hirt starred along with the University of Arizona marching band at the first Super Bowl halftime show in 1967.
On February 8, 1970, while performing in a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Hirt was injured while riding on a float. It is popularly believed that he was struck in the mouth by a thrown piece of concrete or brick. Factual documentation of the details of the incident is sparse, consisting primarily of claims made by Hirt after the incident. Whatever the actual cause of his injuries, Hirt underwent surgery and made a return to the club scene. This incident was parodied in a Saturday Night Live skit from their second season Mardi Gras special, the "Let's Hit Al Hirt in the Mouth with a Brick Contest".
In 1987, Hirt played a solo rendition of "Ave Maria" for Pope John Paul II's visit to New Orleans. He is referred to in the 1987 film Good Morning, Vietnam, in a broadcast made by Lieutenant Hauk (Bruno Kirby).
Hirt died of liver failure at the age of 76, after having spent the previous year in a wheelchair due to edema in his leg. He was survived by his wife, Beverly Essel Hirt, and six children from a previous marriage.
Hirt was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of a police officer. At the age of six, he was given his first trumpet, which had been purchased at a local pawnshop. He would play in the Junior Police Band with the children of Alcide Nunez, and by the age of 16, Hirt was playing professionally, often with his friend Pete Fountain. During this time, he was hired to play at the local horse racing track, beginning a six-decade connection to the sport.
In 1940, Hirt went to Cincinnati, Ohio, to study at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music with Dr. Frank Simon (a former soloist with the John Philip Sousa Orchestra). After a stint as a bugler in the United States Army during World War II, Hirt performed with various swing big bands, including those of Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, and Ina Ray Hutton.
In 1950, Hirt became first trumpet and featured soloist with Horace Heidt's Orchestra. After spending several years on the road with Heidt, Hirt returned to New Orleans working with various Dixieland groups and leading his own bands. Despite Hirt's statement years later "I'm not a jazz trumpeter and never was a jazz trumpeter", he made a few recordings where he demonstrated his ability to play in that style, during the 1950s with bandleader Monk Hazel, and a few other recordings on the local Southland Records label.
Hirt's virtuoso dexterity and fine tone on his instrument soon attracted the attention of major record labels and he signed with RCA Victor. Hirt posted twenty-two albums on the Billboard charts in the 1950s and 1960s. The albums Honey in the Horn and Cotton Candy were both in the Top 10 best sellers for 1964, the same year Hirt scored a hit single with his cover of Allen Toussaint's tune "Java" (Billboard No. 4), and later won a Grammy Award for the same recording. Both Honey in the Horn and "Java" sold over one million copies, and were awarded gold discs.
Hirt's Top 40 charted hit "Sugar Lips" in 1964 would be later used as the theme song for the NBC daytime game show Eye Guess, hosted by Bill Cullen and originally airing from January 1966 to September 1969.
Hirt was chosen to record the frenetic theme for the 1960s TV show The Green Hornet, by famed arranger and composer Billy May. Thematically reminiscent of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumblebee, it showcased Hirt's technical prowess. The recording again gained public attention in 2003 when it was used in the film Kill Bill.
From the mid-1950s to early 1960s, Hirt and his band played nightly at Dan's Pier 600 at the corner of St. Louis and Bourbon Street. The club was owned by his business manager, Dan Levy, Sr.
Al Hirt club on the corner of Bourbon Street and St Louis in the French Quarter, 1977
In 1962 Hirt opened his own club on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, which he ran until 1983. He also became a minority owner in the NFL expansion New Orleans Saints in 1967.
In 1962, in an effort to showcase him in a different musical setting, Hirt was teamed with arranger and composer Billy May and producer Steve Sholes to record an album titled Horn A Plenty that was a departure from the Dixieland material that he was generally associated with. Covering an eclectic variety of popular, standard and show tunes, it featured a big-band supplemented by timpani, French horns and harp. He also appeared opposite Troy Donahue and Suzanne Phlesette in the 1962 motion picture, "Rome Adventure."
In 1965, he hosted the hour-long television variety series Fanfare, which aired on CBS as a summer replacement for Jackie Gleason and the American Scene Magazine.
Hirt starred along with the University of Arizona marching band at the first Super Bowl halftime show in 1967.
On February 8, 1970, while performing in a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Hirt was injured while riding on a float. It is popularly believed that he was struck in the mouth by a thrown piece of concrete or brick. Factual documentation of the details of the incident is sparse, consisting primarily of claims made by Hirt after the incident. Whatever the actual cause of his injuries, Hirt underwent surgery and made a return to the club scene. This incident was parodied in a Saturday Night Live skit from their second season Mardi Gras special, the "Let's Hit Al Hirt in the Mouth with a Brick Contest".
In 1987, Hirt played a solo rendition of "Ave Maria" for Pope John Paul II's visit to New Orleans. He is referred to in the 1987 film Good Morning, Vietnam, in a broadcast made by Lieutenant Hauk (Bruno Kirby).
Hirt died of liver failure at the age of 76, after having spent the previous year in a wheelchair due to edema in his leg. He was survived by his wife, Beverly Essel Hirt, and six children from a previous marriage.
Baby It's Cold Outside
Al Hirt Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Al Hirt:
A Night In Tunisia Hoverin' by my suitcase Tryin' to find a warm place to…
After You Now won't you listen honey, while I say, How could…
After You've Gone Now won't you listen honey, while I say, How could…
After You’ve Gone Now won't you listen honey, while I say, How could…
Ain No one to talk with All by myself No one to walk…
Back Home Again In Indiana Up above my head I hear music in the air Up above…
Basin Street Won't you come along with me To the Mississippi We'll take a…
Batman Batman, Batman, Batman Batman, Batman, Batman, Batman Batm…
Beale St. Blues I hate to see that evening sun go down I hate…
Begin the Beguine When they begin the beguine It brings back the sound of…
Bill Bailey One one summer's day, Sun was shinin' fine, The lady love of…
Blow Your Own Horn Kati fati jean paake Brown Ray-Ban laake Gali teri gedi maar…
Break My Mind Baby oh baby Tell the man at the ticket stand that…
Cotton Candy [Instrumental]…
Danke Schoen Danke schoen, darling, Danke schoen, Thank you for all the j…
Danny Boy Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling From glen…
Dear Old Southland Dear old Southland I hear you calling me. And I long…
Diga Diga Doo Zulu man is feelin' blue Gear his heart beat a little…
Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans And…
Dream a Little Dream Stars shining bright above you Night breezes seem to whisper…
Dream Baby Sweet dream baby Sweet dream baby Sweet dream baby How long …
East of the Sun East of the sun and west of the moon We'll build…
Easy To Love I know too well that I'm just wasting precious time In…
Elmer Why are the stars always winkin' and blinkin' above? What m…
Everbody Loves My Baby Everybody loves my baby, But my baby don't love nobody but…
Fancy Pants Fancy pants Fancy pants Fancy pants Fancy pants Fancy pants…
Farewell Blues Sadness just makes me sigh, I've come to say goodbye, Altho'…
Fools Rush In "Romance is a game for fools" I used to say A game…
Georgia On My Mind Maybe I didn't love you Quite as often as I could…
Girl Tall and tan and young and lovely The girl from Ipanema…
Gonna Fly Now Gonna fly now, flying high now Gonna fly, fly, fly Rocky's r…
Gospel Of No Name City You wanna see sin of the wickedest kind? Here it is! You…
Green Hornet [Instrumental]…
Home Up above my head I hear music in the air Up above…
How Deep Is the Ocean How much do I love you? I'll tell you no lie How…
I I remember other days how I used to weep Over…
I'm Getting Sentimental Over You Never thought I'd fall, But now I hear love call, I'm gett…
Indiana Up above my head I hear music in the air Up above…
Ja-Da You've heard all about your raggy melody Everything from op…
Java [Allen Toussaint/Freddy Friday/Alvin Tyler] --- Instrumenta…
Just Because Well, well, well, Just because you think you're so pretty, A…
Keep the Ball Rollin Keep the ball rollin', Keep the ball rollin'. Girl, the nam…
Let I know that it's time for a change Mmm but when…
Let's Do It Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans And…
Love Ya Baby Everybody loves my baby, But my baby don't love nobody but…
Ma Little Lilly was oh! So silly and shy And all the…
Mack the Knife Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear And it shows…
Man with a Horn You'll always find me near the man with the horn Find…
My Baby Just Cares for Me My baby don't care for shows My baby don't care for…
New Orleans? Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans And…
night in tunisia Hoverin' by my suitcase Tryin' to find a warm place to…
Night Theme wa, wa…
Oh Lonesome Me Everybody's going out and having fun I'm just a fool for…
Over the Rainbow Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high There's a land that…
Personality When Madam Pompadour was on a ballroom floor Said all the…
Rocky Gonna fly now, flying high now Gonna fly, fly, fly Rocky's…
Row Row Row Young Johnny Jones he had a cute little boat And all…
Royal Garden Blues Hon don't you hear that trombone moan?, Just listen to…
Santa Claus is Coming to Town I just came back from a lovely trip along the…
September Song Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December But…
Sleigh Ride Just hear those sleigh bells jingle-ing, ring-ting tingle-in…
Someone to Watch Over Me There's a saying old says that love is blind Still were…
South Homesick tired All alone in a big city Why should…
Spanish Eyes Blue Spanish eyes Teardrops are falling from your Spanish ey…
St. James Infirmary It was down by old Joe's barroom, on the corner…
St. Louis Blues I hate to see that evening sun go down I hate…
Stardust And now the purple dusk of twilight time Steals across the…
Stranger in Paradise Strangers in the night, Exchanging glances Wandering the ni…
Sugar Lips Sugar lips Sugar lips Sugar lips Sugar lips Sugar lips…
Tain't What You Do Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans And…
Tansy ooh ahh…
The Christmas Song Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Jack Frost nipping at you…
The Girl from Ipanema Tall and tan and young and lovely The girl from Ipanema…
Theme from a Dream ah do doo oo oo…
They Call the Wind Maria A Way Out Here They've Got A Name For Wind…
Tiger Rag Hold that tiger Hold that tiger Hold that tiger Hold that ti…
Tin Roof Blues Sunny, yesterday my life was filled with rain Sunny, you sm…
Wandering Star Wandering star Wandering star I was born under a wandering …
What's New Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans And…
When It Homesick tired All alone in a big city Why should…
When It's Sleepy Time Homesick tired All alone in a big city Why should…
When It's Sleepy Time Down South _ Hello Dolly Homesick tired All alone in a big city Why should…
When It's Sleepytime Down South Homesick tired All alone in a big city Why should…
While We Danced at the Mardi Gras How we danced, as we dreamed at the Mardi Gras Was…
Why Me Why me Lord, what have I ever done To deserve even…
You When a girl has the heart of a mother It must…
You Took Advantage of Me When a girl has the heart of a mother It must…
You'll Never Know You'll never know just how much I miss you You'll never…
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