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O'Neil Spencer

William "O'Neill" Spencer (November 25, 1909 – July 24, 1944) was a jazz drummer and singer. He is most known for his work in the John Kirby Sextet.

He began with work for Al Sears and from 1931 to 1936 he worked with the Mills Blue Rhythm Band. He joined Kirby's group in 1937, but had to leave for a time in 1941 due to tuberculosis. He rejoined in 1942 staying until 1943, but died soon after from the disease.

Birth and Death Data: Born November 25th, 1909 (Cedarville), Died July 24th, 1944 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1937 - 1942

Roles Represented in DAHR: drums, vocalist, washboard

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 244 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-071902 10-in. 2/11/1942 No blues at all John Kirby Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-071903 10-in. 2/11/1942 St. Louis blues John Kirby Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 62372 10-in. 7/14/1937 Get acquainted with yourself Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62373 10-in. 7/14/1937 Knock wood Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62374 10-in. 7/14/1937 Peace, brother, peace Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62375 10-in. 7/14/1937 The old stamping ground Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62593 10-in. 9/15/1937 Blues, why don't you let me alone? Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 62594 10-in. 9/15/1937 I've got to think it over Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62595 10-in. 9/15/1937 Achin' hearted blues Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62596 10-in. 9/15/1937 Honeymoonin' on a dime Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62760 10-in. 11/11/1937 The dipsy doodle Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62761 10-in. 11/11/1937 That's a plenty Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 62830 10-in. 12/1/1937 Sweet Lorraine Jimmie Noone Orchestra instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62831 10-in. 12/1/1937 I know that you know Jimmie Noone Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 62832 10-in. 12/1/1937 Bump it (Apex blues) Jimmie Noone Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 62833 10-in. 12/1/1937 Four or five times Jimmie Noone Orchestra instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62834 10-in. 12/1/1937 Hell in my heart Jimmie Noone Orchestra instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62835 10-in. 12/1/1937 Call me darling, call me sweetheart, call me dear Jimmie Noone Orchestra instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62836 10-in. 12/1/1937 I'm walkin' this town Jimmie Noone Orchestra instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62837 10-in. 12/1/1937 Japansy Jimmie Noone Orchestra instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 63136 10-in. 1/7/1938 Bei mir bist du schoen Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63137 10-in. 1/7/1938 The big dipper Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63141 10-in. 1/10/1938 Passionette Willie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63142 10-in. 1/10/1938 Morning air Willie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63189 10-in. 1/21/1938 Wild man blues Johnny Dodds and his Chicago Boys instrumentalist, drums, washboard, vocalist  
(Results 1-25 of 244 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Spencer, O'Neil," accessed January 22, 2021, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086.

Spencer, O'Neil. (2021). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved January 22, 2021, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086.

"Spencer, O'Neil." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2021. Web. 22 January 2021.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086

External Sources

Wikipedia: O'Neill Spencer

Discogs: Spencer, O'Neil

Allmusic: Spencer, O'Neil

Linked Open Data Sources

LCNAR: Spencer, O'Neil, 1909-1944 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n94048915

Wikidata: O'Neill Spencer - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q2043379

VIAF: https://viaf.org/viaf/22328868/

MusicBrainz: Spencer, O'Neil, 1909-1944 - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/40727d52-6756-48d3-a26b-088541060865

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