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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 26-50 of 244 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 63190 10-in. 1/21/1938 Melancholy Johnny Dodds and his Chicago Boys instrumentalist, drums, washboard  
Decca 63191 10-in. 1/21/1938 29th and Dearborn Johnny Dodds and his Chicago Boys instrumentalist, drums, washboard  
Decca 63192 10-in. 1/21/1938 Blues galore Johnny Dodds and his Chicago Boys instrumentalist, drums, washboard, vocalist  
Decca 63193 10-in. 1/21/1938 Stack O'Lee blues Johnny Dodds and his Chicago Boys instrumentalist, drums, washboard, vocalist  
Decca 63194 10-in. 1/21/1938 Shake your can Johnny Dodds and his Chicago Boys instrumentalist, drums, washboard, vocalist  
Decca 63251 10-in. 2/7/1938 There ain't gonna be no doggone afterwhile Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63252 10-in. 2/7/1938 If you're a viper Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63253 10-in. 2/7/1938 Baby, it must be love Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63254 10-in. 2/7/1938 Raggedy but right Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63263 10-in. 2/10/1938 Viper mad Noble Sissle's Swingsters instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 63264 10-in. 2/10/1938 Blackstick Noble Sissle's Swingsters instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63265 10-in. 2/10/1938 When the sun sets down South-1 Noble Sissle's Swingsters instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63266 10-in. 2/10/1938 Sweet patootie Noble Sissle's Swingsters instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 63279 10-in. 2/11/1938 Lost in the shuffle Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63280 10-in. 2/11/1938 The campbells are swinging Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63281 10-in. 2/11/1938 Josephine Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 63440 10-in. 3/17/1938 Sissy Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 63445 10-in. 3/18/1938 Pop-corn man Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 63562 10-in. 4/7/1938 The toy trumpet Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 63563 10-in. 4/7/1938 Jazz me blues Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 63564 10-in. 4/7/1938 Copenhagen Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 63575 10-in. 4/8/1938 In my Mizz Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63576 10-in. 4/8/1938 Toodle-oo Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63577 10-in. 4/8/1938 Just about the time Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63578 10-in. 4/8/1938 Talk to me Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 26-50 of 244 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Spencer, O'Neil," accessed January 27, 2021, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086.

Spencer, O'Neil. (2021). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved January 27, 2021, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086.

"Spencer, O'Neil." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2021. Web. 27 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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