Ransom Knowling

Ransom Knowling (24 June 1912 – 22 October 1967) was an American rhythm and blues musician, best known for playing bass on many blues recordings made in Chicago between the 1930s and 1950s, including those of Arthur Crudup and Little Brother Montgomery.

He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and began playing professionally around 1930 in the New Orleans bands led by Sidney Desvigne and Joe Robichaux. As well as bass, he played violin and tuba. By the late 1930s, he had moved to Chicago, and played on many of the blues records made in the city, including those by the Harlem Hamfats, Big Bill Broonzy, Roosevelt Sykes, Washboard Sam, Sonny Boy Williamson, T-Bone Walker, Tommy McClennan, and Muddy Waters. He played on Arthur Crudup's "That's All Right", recorded in 1946.

He died in Chicago in 1967, aged 55.

Birth and Death Data: Born June 24, 1912 (New Orleans), Died October 22, 1967 (Chicago)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1937 - 1951

Roles Represented in DAHR: string bass, tuba

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

Recordings (Results 101-125 of 268 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor E0VB-4565 10-in. 11/7/1950 Dont blame Shorty for that Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor E0VB-4566 10-in. 11/7/1950 I miss my lovin' blues Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor E0VB-4567 10-in. 11/7/1950 Sweet little angel Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor E0VB-4574 10-in. 11/8/1950 Anytime is the right time Arthur Crudup Male vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor E0VB-4575 10-in. 11/8/1950 My baby left me Arthur Crudup Male vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor E0VB-4576 10-in. 11/8/1950 Nobody wants me Arthur Crudup Male vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor E0VB-4577 10-in. 11/8/1950 Star bootlegger Arthur Crudup Male vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor E1VB-0490 10-in. 3/20/1951 Since baby's been gone Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor E1VB-0491 10-in. 3/20/1951 She's dynamite Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor E1VB-0492 10-in. 3/20/1951 Pretty baby blues Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor E1VB-0493 10-in. 3/20/1951 Early in the morning Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor E1VB-1535 10-in. 4/24/1951 Too much competition Arthur Crudup Male vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor E1VB-1542 10-in. 4/24/1951 I'm gonna dig myself a hole Arthur Crudup Male vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D4AB-0328 10-in. 12/14/1944 Some day baby Lonnie Johnson Male vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and string bass instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D4AB-0329 10-in. 12/14/1944 My love is down Lonnie Johnson Male vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D4AB-0330 10-in. 12/14/1944 The victim of love Lonnie Johnson Male vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and string bass instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D4AB-0331 10-in. 12/14/1944 Watch Shorty Lonnie Johnson Male vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and string bass instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D4AB-0332 10-in. 12/15/1944 Your money can't buy me Big Joe and his Rhythm Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D4AB-0333 10-in. 12/15/1944 That's all for you Big Joe and his Rhythm Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D4AB-0334 10-in. 12/15/1944 I'm alright now Big Joe and his Rhythm Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D4AB-0335 10-in. 12/15/1944 What you're doing is wrong Big Joe and his Rhythm Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D4AB-0336 10-in. 12/15/1944 The woman I love Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with piano, guitar, and string bass instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D4AB-0337 10-in. 12/15/1944 Detroit blues Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with piano, guitar, and string bass instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D4AB-0338 10-in. 12/15/1944 Sure enough I do Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with piano, guitar, and string bass instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D5AB-0312 10-in. 2/26/1945 Go back to the country Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
(Results 101-125 of 268 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Knowling, Ransom," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105976.

Knowling, Ransom. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105976.

"Knowling, Ransom." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105976

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