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O'Neil Spencer

William "O'Neil" 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 25, 1909 (Cedarville), Died July 24, 1944 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1937 - 1942

Roles Represented in DAHR: drums, vocalist, washboard

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

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 260 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-063837 10-in. 5/1/1941 I see a million people (but all I can see is you) Una Mae Carlisle Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-063838 10-in. 5/1/1941 Oh, I'm evil Una Mae Carlisle Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-063839 10-in. 5/1/1941 You mean so much to me Una Mae Carlisle Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-063840 10-in. 5/1/1941 The boogie-woogie piggy Una Mae Carlisle Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-066879 10-in. 7/22/1941 Can't help lovin' dat man Una Mae Carlisle Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-066880 10-in. 7/22/1941 It ain't like that Una Mae Carlisle Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-066881 10-in. 7/22/1941 Anything Una Mae Carlisle Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-066882 10-in. 7/22/1941 City called heaven Una Mae Carlisle Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-067962 10-in. 10/3/1941 I'm the one who loves you Una Mae Carlisle Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-067963 10-in. 10/3/1941 My wish Una Mae Carlisle Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-067964 10-in. 10/3/1941 Coffee and cakes Una Mae Carlisle Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-067965 10-in. 10/3/1941 Moonlight masquerade Una Mae Carlisle Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet instrumentalist, drums  
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  
Victor BS-071908 10-in. 2/13/1942 Don't tetch it! Una Mae Carlisle Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-071909 10-in. 2/13/1942 So long, Shorty (You've got a long way to go) Una Mae Carlisle Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-071910 10-in. 2/13/1942 I'm tryin' Una Mae Carlisle Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet instrumentalist, drums  
Victor BS-071911 10-in. 2/13/1942 Sweet talk Una Mae Carlisle Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 62372 10-in. 7/14/1937 Get acquainted with yourself Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs vocalist, instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 62373 10-in. 7/14/1937 Knock wood Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs vocalist, instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 62374 10-in. 7/14/1937 Peace, brother, peace Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs vocalist, instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 62375 10-in. 7/14/1937 The old stamping ground Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs vocalist, instrumentalist, drums  
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 vocalist, instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 62595 10-in. 9/15/1937 Achin' hearted blues Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs vocalist, instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 1-25 of 260 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Spencer, O'Neil," accessed December 6, 2023, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086.

Spencer, O'Neil. (2023). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved December 6, 2023, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086.

"Spencer, O'Neil." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2023. Web. 6 December 2023.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

External Sources

Wikipedia: O'Neill Spencer

Discogs: O'Neil Spencer

Allmusic: O'Neil Spencer

Grove: O'Neil Spencer

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: http://viaf.org/viaf/22328868

MusicBrainz: O'Neill Spencer - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/40727d52-6756-48d3-a26b-088541060865

ISNI: 0000 0000 6309 1588 - http://www.isni.org/isni/0000000063091588

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