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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 151-175 of 244 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 65603 10-in. 5/19/1939 Where do you work-a, John ? Dick Robertson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65604 10-in. 5/19/1939 Pippinella Dick Robertson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65605 10-in. 5/19/1939 Ain't cha comin' out? Dick Robertson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65606 10-in. 5/19/1939 Who did you meet last night ? Dick Robertson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65625 10-in. 5/23/1939 Graveyard blues Teddy Grace instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65626 10-in. 5/23/1939 Hey Lawdy Mama Teddy Grace instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65627 10-in. 5/23/1939 Mama Doo-Shee Teddy Grace instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65628 10-in. 5/23/1939 Finishing up a date Billy Kyle instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65629 10-in. 5/23/1939 Between sets Billy Kyle instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65750 10-in. 6/8/1939 In an 18th century drawing room Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65751 10-in. 6/8/1939 The shoemaker's holiday Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65752 10-in. 6/8/1939 Everybody loves my baby Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 65756 10-in. 6/8/1939 Come easy, go easy Rosetta Howard instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65757 10-in. 6/8/1939 My blues is like whiskey Rosetta Howard instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65758 10-in. 6/8/1939 The jive is here Rosetta Howard instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65759 10-in. 6/8/1939 My downfall Rosetta Howard instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 65760 10-in. 6/8/1939 Hog-wild blues Rosetta Howard instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 66167 10-in. 8/22/1939 The man with the mandolin Leo Watson Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 66168 10-in. 8/22/1939 Utt da zay (The tailor song) Leo Watson Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 66169 10-in. 8/22/1939 Ja-da Leo Watson Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 66170 10-in. 8/22/1939 It's the tune that counts Leo Watson Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 66245 10-in. 8/30/1939 You ain't had no blues Blue Lu Barker instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 66246 10-in. 8/30/1939 Marked woman Blue Lu Barker instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 66247 10-in. 8/30/1939 Midnight blues Blue Lu Barker instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 66248 10-in. 8/30/1939 Down in the dumps Blue Lu Barker instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 151-175 of 244 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Spencer, O'Neil," accessed January 19, 2021, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086.

Spencer, O'Neil. (2021). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved January 19, 2021, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086.

"Spencer, O'Neil." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2021. Web. 19 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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