Al Hirt - Voice Your Choice

Al Hirt was born Alois Maxwell Hirt on November 7, 1922 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He died of liver failure on April 27, 1999 at the of 76. Prior to becoming a Grammy Award winning recording artist (for his hit Java), the trumpet virtuoso toured with the likes of Jimmy Dorsey and Tommy Dorsey, Ray McKinley and Horace Heidt. He even formed own Dixieland combo with Pete Fountain in the late 1950s.

Despite the British Music Invasion happening, Al Hirt managed to hit the charts a total of 15 times between 1964  and 1969, including his top five debut.

Next week Treasure Island Oldies has the annual Instrumental Gems Wordless Wonders Special. So it's very fitting to have Al Hirt, a top instrumentalist, featured on Voice Your Choice. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Cotton Candy or Java. I'll play the winner on next week's show in the 3rd hour.