From the Frisco Cricket article Yerba Buena Tuba by Hal Smith, Summer 1998

George Bruns (1914-1983)

George Bruns was another multi-instrumentalist and, like Short, was a virtuoso tubaist; equally adept at perfect ensemble parts and memorable solos. He worked in Harry Owens' Hawaiian Band and was musical director of radio station KEX in Portland, Oregon. In the late '40s, he played trombone with the the Rose City Stompers and the Castle Jazz Band and also played tuba with the Webfoot Jazz Band. In 1950 he joined Turk Murphy's Jazz Band, doubling tuba and bass. During his stint with Murphy band, Bruns recorded a classic tuba solo on By And By¹³-an incredible chorus which is still quoted by contemporary brass bassists. After leaving Turk Murphy, Bruns stayed in Southern California, working a night club act with his wife, vocalist Jeanne Gayle. He worked for UPA, a Hollywood cartoon studio, then moved to Walt Disney Studios in 1954. In 1955 he composed the mega-hit, The Ballad Of Davy Crockett. His association with the Disney Studios soon led to work with the Banjo Kings and the Firehouse Five Plus Two, becoming the full-time tubaist with the FH5 when Ed Penner died in 1956.¹⁴ He also led the Wonderland Jazz Band, which included several of the FH5 musicians. He continued to write music for Disney productions, then retired in the '70s and returned home to Sandy, Oregon.

Published in the The Frisco Cricket, which is available when you Join the Foundation (only $25!).