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 76-100 of 260 records)
| Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
| Decca | 64226 | 10-in. | 6/27/1938 | I can tell by looking in your eyes | Bob Howard Orchestra | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64232 | 10-in. | 6/27/1938 | Dapper Dan | Bob Howard Orchestra | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64233 | 10-in. | 6/27/1938 | You better come back | Bob Howard Orchestra | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64234 | 10-in. | 6/27/1938 | Southern Casey Jones | Bob Howard Orchestra | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64254 | 10-in. | 7/5/1938 | Gobblins in the steeple | Milt Herth Trio | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64255 | 10-in. | 7/5/1938 | Minuet in jazz | Milt Herth Trio | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64341 | 10-in. | 7/22/1938 | La-de-doody-do | Milt Herth Quartet | instrumentalist, drums, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 64342 | 10-in. | 7/22/1938 | Home-cookin' Mama with the fryin' pan | Milt Herth Quartet | instrumentalist, drums, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 64343 | 10-in. | 7/26/1938 | I used to love you | Bob Howard Orchestra | instrumentalist, drums |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Spencer, O'Neil," accessed April 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086.
Spencer, O'Neil. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086.
"Spencer, O'Neil." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 April 2024.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
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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