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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 51-75 of 244 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 63680 10-in. 4/28/1938 Three blind mice Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 63681 10-in. 4/28/1938 Looney little tooney Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 63682 10-in. 4/28/1938 The flat-foot floogie-1 Milt Herth Quartet ; Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 63779 10-in. 5/15/1938 John Henry Spencer Trio instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 63780 10-in. 5/15/1938 Lorna Doone shortbread Spencer Trio instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63781 10-in. 5/15/1938 Afternoon in Africa Spencer Trio instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63782 10-in. 5/15/1938 Baby, won't you please come horne Spencer Trio instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 63801 10-in. 5/17/1938 Shoot the likker to me, John boy Milt Herth Quartet instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 63802 10-in. 5/17/1938 Egyptian Ella Gordon String Quartet vocalist  
Decca 63862 10-in. 5/25/1938 Swing low, sweet chariot Three Ebony instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63863 10-in. 5/25/1938 Go down Moses Three Ebony instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63864 10-in. 5/25/1938 Heartbroken blues Three Ebony instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63865 10-in. 5/25/1938 Mississippi moan Three Ebony instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63866 10-in. 5/26/1938 Freight train blues Trixie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63867 10-in. 5/26/1938 Trixie blues Trixie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63868 10-in. 5/26/1938 My Daddy rocks me Trixie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63869 10-in. 5/26/1938 My Daddy rocks me No.2 Trixie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63870 10-in. 5/26/1938 He may be your man Trixie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63871 10-in. 5/26/1938 Jack I'm mellow Trixie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63872 10-in. 5/26/1938 Lady be good Trixie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63873 10-in. 5/26/1938 Uncle Joe Grant and Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63874 5/26/1938 I am a woman Grant and Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63875 10-in. 5/26/1938 Toot it, brother Armstrong-1 Grant and Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63876 5/26/1938 Blue Monday on Sugar Hill Grant and Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63877 10-in. 5/26/1938 My unusual man Trixie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 51-75 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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