Jack Jenney (born May 12, 1910 in Mason City, Iowa; died December 16, 1945 in Los Angeles, California) was a jazz trombonist who might be best known for instrumental versions of the song Stardust. Jenney played with his father's band from age 11, his father was a musician and music teacher, but his first professional work began with Austin Wylie in 1928. He would go on to work with Red Norvo, Glenn Miller, and appear in the film Syncopation.[1] He also won the Down Beat Reader's Poll for trombone in 1940[2]
He led his own band for a year, which included Peanuts Hucko and Hugo Winterhalter. Although this band received good reviews it was a financial failure. He would also be drafted into the United States Navy. After his return he died of complications related to appendicitis.[3]
He was married to singer Kay Thompson and later to Bonnie Lake.[4] He is on occasion compared to Bix Beiderbecke as both came from Iowa and died young, but not because of any similarity in style or life history.