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 101-125 of 260 records)
| Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decca | 64344 | 10-in. | 7/26/1938 | Keepin' out of mischief now | Bob Howard Orchestra | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64345 | 10-in. | 7/26/1938 | Sweet Emalina, my gal | Bob Howard Orchestra | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64346 | 10-in. | 7/26/1938 | Beale Street Mama | Bob Howard Orchestra | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64347 | 10-in. | 7/26/1938 | You're in Kentucky sure as you're born | Bob Howard Orchestra | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64348 | 10-in. | 7/26/1938 | Any rags | Bob Howard Orchestra | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64349 | 10-in. | 7/26/1938 | On revival day | Bob Howard Orchestra | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64493 | 10-in. | 9/1/1938 | Love me or leave me | Teddy Grace | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64494 | 10-in. | 9/1/1938 | Downhearted blues | Teddy Grace | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64495 | 10-in. | 9/1/1938 | Crazy blues | Teddy Grace | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64496 | 10-in. | 9/1/1938 | Monday morning | Teddy Grace | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64604 | 10-in. | 9/9/1938 | Safety locked up in my heart | Lil Armstrong and her Swing Band | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64605 | 10-in. | 9/9/1938 | Everything's wrong, ain't nothing right | Lil Armstrong and her Swing Band | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64606 | 10-in. | 9/9/1938 | Harlem on Saturday night | Lil Armstrong and her Swing Band | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64607 | 10-in. | 9/9/1938 | Knock-kneed Sal (on the mourner's bench) | Lil Armstrong and her Swing Band | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64608 | 10-in. | 9/9/1938 | The numbers man | Jack Sneed and his Sneezers | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64609 | 10-in. | 9/9/1938 | Sly mongoose | Jack Sneed and his Sneezers | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64610 | 10-in. | 9/9/1938 | West Indian blues | Jack Sneed and his Sneezers | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64611 | 10-in. | 9/9/1938 | West Indian blues | Jack Sneed and his Sneezers | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64646 | 10-in. | 9/13/1938 | The Lambeth walk | Milt Herth Trio | instrumentalist, drums, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 64647 | 10-in. | 9/13/1938 | Rockin' in rhythm | Milt Herth Trio | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64708 | 10-in. | 10/28/1938 | Rehearsin' for a nervous breakdown | John Kirby and his Onyx Club Boys | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64709 | 10-in. | 10/28/1938 | From A flat to C | John Kirby and his Onyx Club Boys | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64710 | 10-in. | 10/28/1938 | Pastel blue (Blue dilemma) | John Kirby and his Onyx Club Boys | instrumentalist, drums, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 64711 | 10-in. | 10/28/1938 | Undecided | John Kirby and his Onyx Club Boys | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 64712 | 10-in. | 10/28/1938 | By the waters of Minnetonka | John Kirby and his Onyx Club Boys | instrumentalist, drums |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Spencer, O'Neil," accessed April 26, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086.
Spencer, O'Neil. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086.
"Spencer, O'Neil." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 26 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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