Thomas E. "Petey" Hillery

American cornetist (b. 1900; d. 1928). He was born in Baltimore, MD.and began his study of cornet with "Doc" Simms, a colorful East Baltimore music teacher and community worker. Hillery performed with several bands in New York clubs and stage shows, including Charles Matson's Creole Serenaders, Jimmy Cooper's and Teddy Claire's "Black and White" revues. Succumbed to pneumonia after a brief illness.