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George Wettling

George Godfrey Wettling (November 28, 1907 – June 6, 1968) was an American jazz drummer.

He was born in Topeka, Kansas, United States, and from his early teens was living in Chicago, Illinois. He was one of the young Chicagoans who fell in love with jazz as a result of hearing King Oliver's band (with Louis Armstrong on second cornet) at Lincoln Gardens in the early 1920s. Oliver's drummer, Baby Dodds, made a particular and lasting impression on Wettling.

Wettling went on to work with the big bands of Artie Shaw, Bunny Berigan, Red Norvo, Paul Whiteman, and Chico Marx, but he was at his best with bands led by Eddie Condon, Muggsy Spanier, and himself. In these small bands, Wettling demonstrated the arts of dynamics and responding to a particular soloist that he had learned from Baby Dodds.

Wettling was a member of some of Condon's bands, which included Wild Bill Davison, Billy Butterfield, Edmond Hall, Peanuts Hucko, Pee Wee Russell, Cutty Cutshall, Gene Schroeder, Ralph Sutton, and Walter Page. In 1957, he toured England with a Condon band that included Davison, Cutshall, and Schroeder.

Toward the end of his life, Wettling, like his friend clarinetist Pee Wee Russell, took up painting and was influenced by the American cubist Stuart Davis. He has been said to have believed that "jazz drumming and abstract painting seemed different for him only from the point of view of craftsmanship: in both fields he felt rhythm to be decisive".

Birth and Death Data: Born November 28, 1907 (Topeka), Died June 6, 1968 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1936 - 1956

Roles Represented in DAHR: drums, traps

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

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor MS-06230 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late Jan. 1937 Love is good for anything that ails you Artie Shaw Orchestra ; Peg LaCentra Jazz/dance band and female vocal soloist instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-06231 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late Jan. 1937 Trust in me Artie Shaw Orchestra ; Peg LaCentra Jazz/dance band and female vocal soloist instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-06232 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late Jan. 1937 Sweet is the word for you Artie Shaw Orchestra ; Peg LaCentra Jazz/dance band and female vocal soloist instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-06233 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late Jan. 1937 Cream puff Artie Shaw Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-06234 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late Jan. 1937 When your lover has gone Artie Shaw Orchestra ; Peg LaCentra Jazz/dance band and female vocal soloist instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-06581 10-in. 3/31/1937 A jam session at Victor (Honeysuckle rose) Bunny Berigan ; Tommy Dorsey ; Dick McDonough ; Fats Waller ; George Wettling Jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-06582 10-in. 3/31/1937 A jam session at Victor (Blues-fox trot) Bunny Berigan ; Tommy Dorsey ; Dick McDonough ; Fats Waller ; George Wettling Jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-06590 10-in. 4/1/1937 You can't run away from love tonight Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Carol Mackay Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-06591 10-in. 4/1/1937 'Cause my baby says it's so Bunny Berigan Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-06592 10-in. 4/1/1937 Carelessly Bunny Berigan Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-06593 10-in. 4/1/1937 All dark people are light on their feet Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ford Leary Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-010163 10-in. 5/13/1937 The first time I saw you Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ford Leary Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-010164 10-in. 5/13/1937 Love is a merry go round Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Sue Mitchell Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-010165 10-in. 5/13/1937 The image of you Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Sue Mitchell Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-010166 10-in. 5/13/1937 I'm happy, darling, dancing with you Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Sue Mitchell Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-010167 10-in. 5/13/1937 Swanee River Bunny Berigan Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-011673 10-in. 8/7/1937 Let 'er go Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-011674 10-in. 8/7/1937 Turn on that red hot heat (Burn your blues away) Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor CS-011675 12-in. 8/7/1937 I can't get started Bunny Berigan Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor CS-011676 12-in. 8/7/1937 The prisoner's song Bunny Berigan Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-030731 10-in. 12/19/1938 A room with a view Artie Shaw Orchestra ; Helen Forrest Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Decca 64791 10-in. 12/8/1938 Never felt better, never had less Paul Whiteman and his Swing Wing instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64792 10-in. 12/8/1938 Mutiny in the nursery Paul Whiteman and his Swing Wing instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64793 10-in. 12/8/1938 Jeepers creepers Paul Whiteman and his Swing Wing instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64794 10-in. 12/8/1938 I go for that Paul Whiteman and his Swing Wing instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65358 10-in. 4/6/1939 Heat wave Paul Whiteman's Bouncing Brass instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65359 10-in. 4/6/1939 Home again blues Paul Whiteman's Bouncing Brass instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65360 10-in. 4/6/1939 I've found a new baby Paul Whiteman's Bouncing Brass instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65361 10-in. 4/6/1939 Rose room Paul Whiteman's Bouncing Brass instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65362 10-in. 4/7/1939 Blue skies Paul Whiteman's Sax Octette instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65363 10-in. 4/7/1939 What'll I do ? Paul Whiteman's Sax Octette instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65364 10-in. 4/7/1939 I kiss your hand, Madame-1 Paul Whiteman's Sax Octette instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65365 10-in. 4/7/1939 After you've gone Paul Whiteman's Sax Octette instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65366 10-in. 4/8/1939 Three little fishies Paul Whiteman and his Swing Wing instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65367 10-in. 4/8/1939 Hooray for spinach Paul Whiteman and his Swing Wing instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65368 10-in. 4/8/1939 Step up and shake my hand Paul Whiteman and his Swing Wing instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65369 10-in. 4/8/1939 Now and then Paul Whiteman and his Swing Wing instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65370 10-in. 4/8/1939 Mandy Paul Whiteman and his Swing Wing instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65429 12-in. 4/18/1939 Concerto in F (Gershwin): 1st mvt. , part 1 Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65430 12-in. 4/18/1939 Concerto in F (Gershwin): 1st mvt., part 2 Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65431 12-in. 4/18/1939 Concerto in F (Gershwin): 2nd mvt. Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65432 12-in. 4/18/1939 Concerto in F (Gershwin): 3rd mvt. Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65581 10-in. 5/16/1939 Lazy Paul Whiteman and his Swing Wing instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65781 10-in. 6/13/1939 Say it with music Paul Whiteman Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65782 10-in. 6/13/1939 Lady of the evening Paul Whiteman Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65783 10-in. 6/13/1939 All alone Paul Whiteman Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65784 10-in. 6/13/1939 Remember Paul Whiteman Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 66498 10-in. 11/9/1939 Oh, Johnny! Oh, Johnny! Oh! The Andrews Sisters instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 66499 10-in. 11/9/1939 South American way The Andrews Sisters instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 66906 10-in. 11/24/1939 All the things you are Paul Whiteman Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 66907 10-in. 11/24/1939 All in fun Paul Whiteman Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 66908 10-in. 11/24/1939 Heaven in my arms Paul Whiteman Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 66909 10-in. 11/24/1939 That lucky fellow Paul Whiteman Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 66996 10-in. 12/21/1939 The creaking old mill on the creek Paul Whiteman Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 66997 10-in. 12/21/1939 The gaucho serenade Paul Whiteman Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 66998 10-in. 12/21/1939 Darn that dream Paul Whiteman Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 66999 10-in. 12/21/1939 My fantasy Paul Whiteman Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 67014 12-in. 1/3/1940 Manhattan serenade Paul Whiteman Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 67015 12-in. 1/3/1940 Manhattan moonlight Paul Whiteman Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 67016 12-in. 1/3/1940 Metropolitan nocturne Paul Whiteman Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 67021 12-in. 1/4/1940 Manhattan masquerade Paul Whiteman Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 67022 12-in. 1/4/1940 Side street in Gotham, part 1 Paul Whiteman Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 67023 12-in. 1/4/1940 Side street in Gotham, part 2 Paul Whiteman Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 67059 10-in. 1/16/1940 I've found a new baby George Wettling's Chicago Rhythm Kings instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 67060 10-in. 1/16/1940 Bugle call rag George Wettling's Chicago Rhythm Kings instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 67061 10-in. 1/16/1940 I wish I could shimmy like my sister Kate George Wettling's Chicago Rhythm Kings instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 67062 10-in. 1/16/1940 Darktown Strutters' Ball George Wettling's Chicago Rhythm Kings instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 73279 1/16/1946 After you've gone Bing Crosby instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 73280 1/16/1946 Personality Bing Crosby instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72497 10-in. 11/8/1944 That ole devil called love Billie Holiday instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72498 11/8/1944 Don't explain Billie Holiday instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72499 11/8/1944 Big stuff Billie Holiday instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72619 10-in. 12/13/1944 When your lover has gone-1 Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72620 10-in. 12/13/1944 Whenever there's love-1 Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72621 10-in. 12/13/1944 Impromptu ensemble No. 1 Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72622 10-in. 12/13/1944 The man I love Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72623 10-in. 12/13/1944 'S wonderful-2 Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72798 10-in. 3/27/1945 It's only a paper moon Delta Rhythm Boys ; Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72799 10-in. 3/27/1945 Cry you out of my heart Delta Rhythm Boys ; Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72800 10-in. 3/27/1945 Cry you out of my heart Delta Rhythm Boys ; Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72865 10-in. 5/17/1945 (I'll build a) Stairway to paradise-1 Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72866 10-in. 5/17/1945 Lady be good, part 1 Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72867 10-in. 5/17/1945 Lady be good, part 2 Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72868 10-in. 5/17/1945 My one and only Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 73278 1/16/1946 Blue (and broken hearted) Bing Crosby instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 73909 5/8/1947 A-feudin' and a-fightin' Bing Crosby instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 73910 5/8/1947 Goodbye my love, goodbye Bing Crosby instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 74023 8/5/1947 My melancholy baby Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 74024 8/5/1947 Tulip time in Holland Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 74025 8/5/1947 Nobody knows Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 74026 8/5/1947 We called it music Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 76117 4/10/1950 Washington Post march Bob Crosby Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 76118 4/10/1950 My Scandinavian baby Bob Crosby Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 76119 4/10/1950 Stars and stripes forever Bob Crosby Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 76120 4/10/1950 Your heart of stone Bob Crosby Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 76121 4/10/1950 Black bottom Bob Crosby Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 76122 4/10/1950 Charleston Bob Crosby Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84144 3/9/1953 Clarinet marmalade Jimmy McPartland Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84145 3/9/1953 Singin' the blues Jimmy McPartland Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84272 4/7/1953 Davenport blues Jimmy McPartland Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84273 4/7/1953 Since my best gal turned me down Jimmy McPartland Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84274 4/7/1953 Swingin' the blues Jimmy McPartland Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84297 4/9/1953 Ostrich walk Jimmy McPartland Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84298 4/9/1953 Louisiana Jimmy McPartland Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84501 5/14/1953 I'm coming Virginia Jimmy McPartland Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84502 5/14/1953 Riverboat shuffle Jimmy McPartland Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84503 5/14/1953 Singin' the blues Jimmy McPartland Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84504 5/14/1953 Clarinet marmalade Jimmy McPartland Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 86741 9/2/1954 When my dreamboat comes home Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 86742 9/2/1954 Careless love, part 1 Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 86743 9/2/1954 Careless love, part 2 Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 86744 9/2/1954 Careless love, part 3 Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 86747 9/3/1954 Judy Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 86748 9/3/1954 Oh, Doctor Ochsner Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 86749 9/3/1954 Washington and Lee swing Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 86750 9/3/1954 My wild Irish Rose Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88869 12/6/1955 Singin' the blues till my Daddy comes home Jimmy McPartland Jazz Band instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89304 2/1/1956 Jazz me blues Jimmy McPartland Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89305 2/1/1956 In a mist Jimmy McPartland Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89306 2/1/1956 Way down yonder in New Orleans Jimmy McPartland Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89307 2/1/1956 Sorry Jimmy McPartland Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 90697 10-in. 4/24/1936 Eccentric Jimmy McPartland's Squirrels instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 90698 10-in. 4/24/1936 Original Dixieland one-step Jimmy McPartland's Squirrels instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 90699 10-in. 4/25/1936 I'm all bound 'round with the Mason-Dixon line Jimmy McPartland's Squirrels instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 90700 10-in. 4/25/1936 Panama Jimmy McPartland's Squirrels instrumentalist, drums  
Signature T-1909 10-in. 12/18/1943 Squeeze me Yank Lawson and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, drums  
Signature T-1910 10-in. 12/18/1943 When I grow too old to dream Yank Lawson and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, drums  
Signature T-1911 10-in. 12/18/1943 Too many times Yank Lawson and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, drums  
Signature T-1912 10-in. 12/18/1943 The sheik of Araby Yank Lawson and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, drums  
Decca N 1776 10-in. 2/29/1944 Panama Joe Marsala Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca N 1777 10-in. 2/29/1944 Four or five times Joe Marsala Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca N 1778 10-in. 2/29/1944 Jazzin' babies blues Joe Marsala Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca N 1779 10-in. 2/29/1944 Weary blues Joe Marsala Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca N 1780 10-in. 2/29/1944 Wabash blues Joe Marsala Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca N 1781 10-in. 2/29/1944 High society Joe Marsala Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca N 1782 10-in. 2/29/1944 Wolverine blues Joe Marsala Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca N 1783 10-in. 2/29/1944 Blues in C Joe Marsala Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca N 2944 10-in. 12/14/1944 Jam session jump Eddie Condon instrumentalist, drums  
Decca N 2945 10-in. 12/14/1944 Jam session blues Eddie Condon instrumentalist, drums  
Decca N 2946 10-in. 12/14/1944 Someone to watch over me Eddie Condon instrumentalist, drums  
Decca N 2947 10-in. 12/14/1944 The sheik of Araby Eddie Condon ; Jack Teagarden instrumentalist, drums  
Decca N 2948 10-in. 12/14/1944 The man I love Eddie Condon ; Lee Wiley instrumentalist, drums  
Decca N 2949 10-in. 12/14/1944 Somebody loves me Eddie Condon Orchestra ; Jack Teagarden instrumentalist, drums  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Wettling, George," accessed April 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105504.

Wettling, George. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105504.

"Wettling, George." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105504

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