Johnny Blowers

John G. Blowers Jr. (April 21, 1911 – July 17, 2006) was an American drummer of the swing era. Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States, Blowers ("Blau-ers") learned to play percussion during his schooldays and began performing with the Bob Pope Band in 1936. Blowers attended college at Oglethorpe College, now Oglethorpe University.

In 1937, he travelled to New York City, where he found employment as a drummer in Greenwich Village. In 1938, he joined Bunny Berigan's band, and in 1942 he began performing with the up-and-coming Frank Sinatra, who asked Blowers to record with him. They performed and recorded together regularly until the 1950s. In 1947, he opened Club Blowers in the Queens district.

In addition to Sinatra, Blowers performed with Louis Armstrong, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Sidney Bechet, Eddie Fisher, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Billie Holiday, and Mel Tormé.

Blowers also performed in the They Might Be Giants video, "They'll Need a Crane" from the album, Lincoln.

Birth and Death Data: Born April 21, 1911, Died July 17, 2006

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1935 - 1954

Roles Represented in DAHR: drums

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 51-75 of 94 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 81302 7/23/1951 The love of a gypsy Arthur Prysock instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 81303 7/23/1951 A man ain't supposed to cry Arthur Prysock instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 81357 8/6/1951 Lemme go Tamara Hayes instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 81358 8/6/1951 Dreamy melody Tamara Hayes instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 81359 8/6/1951 I got it bad Tamara Hayes instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 81360 8/6/1951 The day isn't long enough Tamara Hayes instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 81394 8/14/1951 untitled original Sy Oliver Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 81395 8/14/1951 Kissing bug boogie Sy Oliver Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 81396 8/14/1951 Slick chick on the sly Sy Oliver Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 82732 4/23/1952 I waited a little too long Artie Shaw Orchestra ; Trudy Richards instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 82733 4/23/1952 I may hate myself in the morning Artie Shaw Orchestra ; Trudy Richards instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 82734 4/23/1952 Trav'lin' (All alone)-1 Artie Shaw Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84140 3/10/1953 Let's go down to the tavern Johnny Long Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84141 3/10/1953 Red top Johnny Long Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84142 3/10/1953 Accent on youth Johnny Long Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84143 3/10/1953 Glad rag doll Johnny Long Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84481 5/11/1953 I wanna know Johnny Long Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84482 5/11/1953 Till the moon turns green Johnny Long Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84483 5/11/1953 The girl that I marry Johnny Long Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 86570 7/13/1954 (Who's the guy with) The mink bow tie Johnny Long Orchestra ; Art Lund instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 86571 7/13/1954 Those Texas women Johnny Long Orchestra ; Art Lund instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 86572 7/13/1954 Sidetracked Johnny Long Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 86573 7/13/1954 Give, give, give Johnny Long Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 86590 7/19/1954 Sally May Johnny Long Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 86591 7/19/1954 Say hey Willie Mays Johnny Long Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 51-75 of 94 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Blowers, Johnny," accessed May 30, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/304724.

Blowers, Johnny. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/304724.

"Blowers, Johnny." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 30 May 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/304724

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