David Alvin Hanson

David Alvin Hanson of Kennesaw, Georgia died May 4, 2015. He was born August 1, 1939 in Los Angeles, California. Dave was predeceased by wife Elizabeth, brother Carl “Buck” Hanson III, and his parents Joan and Carl Hanson Jr.

Dave was a professional musician; a fine jazz trombonist who worked with Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, and Maynard Ferguson in his early career. He played in the Grundig Recording Orchestra in Munich, completing his college degree at the University of Maryland in Munich.

In 1963, Dave moved to San Francisco and was working there when he saw a newspaper ad for a trombone player to play at the Red Garter in New Orleans. After a short time he was called to New York City, where he played at Your Father’s Mustache. With that band he appeared on the Ed Sullivan Christmas Show in 1968. He first came Atlanta on tour with Flip Wilson, and being a Dixieland specialist, he sat in with the band at Ruby Red’s Warehouse. That very night, he chose to stay with the Ruby Red’s Band and soon the band took up residence in Underground Atlanta. They played all over the city as well, at Falcons and Braves games, and for numerous conventions. In recent years, he was a steady presence (all 6’5” of him!) at local jazz jam sessions, providing beautiful, often intricate trombone solos.

Dave was a member of the Atlanta Federation of Musicians Local 148-462 since 1969, serving as Vice President there from 1990 until his passing. He will be missed by his many musician friends and his three cats.