Jasper Taylor

Jasper Taylor (January 1, 1894, Texarkana, Arkansas – November 7, 1964, Chicago) was an American jazz drummer.

Taylor performed in Wild West revues and minstrel shows in his teens, touring the American South and Mexico. He played in Memphis, Tennessee in 1913, on washboard, drums, wood blocks, and xylophone. As a xylophonist he collaborated with W.C. Handy, and later played with Jelly Roll Morton.

In 1917 he moved to Chicago, where he was based out of for most of his career. He played in the 365th Infantry Band in France during World War I, and played with Handy, Will Marion Cook, the Chicago Novelty Orchestra, and Clarence Williams in the late 1910s and early 1920s. Later in the 1920s he worked with Dave Peyton and Fess Williams.

Due to the downturn in opportunities to perform during the Great Depression, he quit music in the 1930s and became a cobbler. In the 1940s he returned to active performance with Freddie Shayne and others; in the 1950s he played for several years with Natty Dominique. Shortly before his death he led his own Creole Jazz Band.

Birth and Death Data: Born January 1, 1894 (Texarkana), Died November 7, 1964

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1927 - 1928

Roles Represented in DAHR: drums, washboard, leader, lyricist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Brunswick C2022 10-in. 6/29/1928 Jasper Taylor blues Julia Davis ; Jasper Taylor’s Original Washboard Band Instrumental ensemble, with female vocal solo leader, lyricist  
Brunswick C2023 10-in. 6/29/1928 Geechie River blues Julia Davis ; Jasper Taylor’s Original Washboard Band Instrumental ensemble, with female vocal solo leader  
Gennett 12919 10-in. 7/12/1927 Can't you wait till you get home? Frankie Half Pint Jaxon Male vocal solo, with piano and washboard instrumentalist, washboard  
Gennett 12920 10-in. 7/12/1927 I'm gonna steal you a million dollars Frankie Half Pint Jaxon Male vocal solo, with piano and washboard instrumentalist, washboard  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Taylor, Jasper," accessed April 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110845.

Taylor, Jasper. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110845.

"Taylor, Jasper." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110845

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