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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 126-150 of 244 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 65273 10-in. 3/24/1939 Let me be your Bo Weevil Lee Brown instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65310 10-in. 3/30/1939 Possum den blues Peetie Wheatstraw instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65311 10-in. 3/30/1939 Little low mellow Mama-1 Peetie Wheatstraw instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65312 10-in. 3/30/1939 A working man's blues-1 Peetie Wheatstraw instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65313 10-in. 3/30/1939 One to twelve-1 Peetie Wheatstraw instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65314 10-in. 3/30/1939 Let's talk things over-1 Peetie Wheatstraw instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65315 10-in. 3/30/1939 Sinking sun blues-1 Peetie Wheatstraw instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65316 10-in. 3/30/1939 Easy way blues-1 Peetie Wheatstraw instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65317 10-in. 3/30/1939 Machine gun blues-1 Peetie Wheatstraw instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65326 10-in. 3/31/1939 You don't know how much you can suffer The Andrews Sisters instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65327 10-in. 3/31/1939 Rock, rock, rock-a-bye baby The Andrews Sisters instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65490 10-in. 4/28/1939 Honey in the bee ball The Ramblers instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 65491 10-in. 4/28/1939 T'ain't what you do The Ramblers instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 65492 10-in. 4/28/1939 Money is honey The Ramblers instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 65493 10-in. 4/28/1939 Lonesome railroad The Ramblers instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 65531 10-in. 5/3/1939 Beer barrel polka (Roll out the barrel) The Andrews Sisters instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65532 10-in. 5/3/1939 Well, all right The Andrews Sisters instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65557 10-in. 5/9/1939 Betty and Dupree Teddy Grace instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65558 10-in. 5/9/1939 Arkansas blues Teddy Grace instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65559 10-in. 5/9/1939 Down home blues Teddy Grace instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65585 10-in. 5/16/1939 Gulf Coast blues Teddy Grace instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65586 10-in. 5/16/1939 Oh Daddy blues Teddy Grace instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65587 10-in. 5/16/1939 You don't know my mind Teddy Grace instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65588 10-in. 5/16/1939 Low down blues Teddy Grace instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65602 10-in. 5/19/1939 Maybe Dick Robertson instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 126-150 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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