Jazz trumpeter and St. Louis Native, Floyd A. LeFlore, Jr., passed away Saturday, September 6, 2014. He was the son of Minnie Jarmon LeFlore and Floyd LeFlore, Sr. LeFlore, a confirmed Catholic, attended Catholic and public schools in St. Louis, and was a graduate of Sumner High School, and attended St. Louis School of Music. In 1968, He, along with a group of local musicans, that included saxophonists Oliver Lake and Julius Hemphill, (poet) Ajule Rutlin, (actor) Robert “Malinke” Elliott. Shortly after, trumpeter, Bakida Caroll, saxaphonist, J.D. Parran, drummer, Charles “Bobo” Shaw, bassist Carl “Arzinia” Richardson, (actor) Vincent Terrell, (poet) Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore, (dancer) Barbara Richardson, (painter) Emilio Cruz would join. LeFlore and the BAG musicians, including a young trumbonist, Joeseph Bowie, spent more than a year in Europe touring, and recorded their debut album Black Artist Group – In Paris, Aries 1973.
LeFlore was also instrumental in the “free jazz” movement performing extensively from the 60s to the late 90s with fellow musicians that included, BAG alums, George Samms, Jerome “Scrooge” Harris, Ptah Williams, Freddie Washington, Daryl Mixon, John Norment, Robert “Happy Tooth” Edwards, Gary Sykes, Maurice Carnes, Blake Travis, and David Parker, to name a few. He was a local icon and mentor to various young musicians growing up in St. Louis during the late 60s and 70s that included The Bosman Twins, Bruce Purse, and Joseph Bowie.
He also performed gigs with the likes of legendary blues guitarist, Albert King, and legendary pianist and bandleader, Sun Ra and his Arkestra. LeFlore was a board member of the New Music Circle, and in 1998 recorded his debut CD-EP “City Sidewalk Street Song Suite.
LeFlore is survived by wife, renown poet and performing artist, Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore, daughters Lyah Beth LeFlore, Jacie Price, and Hope Price Lindsay; four grandchildren, Noelle Lindsay, Jordan Lindsay, Jullian Price Baez, and Bella Grace LeFlore Ituen; and one sister, Cynthia A. LeFlore. Memorial services to be held Saturday, September 13, 2014 at McClendon Mortuary, 12140 New Halls Ferry Road, St. Louis MO 63033. Floyd will be missed by family and friends and the global jazz music community
