Carroll Dickerson

Carroll Dickerson (November 1, 1895 – October 9, 1957) was a Chicago and New York-based dixieland jazz violinist and bandleader, probably better known for his extensive work with Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines or his more brief work touring with King Oliver.

Dickerson played a major role as a bandleader in Chicago; his sidemen there included Johnny Dunn, Frankie Half Pint Jaxon, Tommy Ladnier, Honore Dutrey, Natty Dominique, Sterling Conaway, Boyd Atkins, Fred Robinson, Jimmy Strong, Mancy Carr, Pete Briggs, and Jimmy Mundy.

He first directed a band from 1922 to 1924 in the Sunset Cafe, which led to a longer tour, in which his sideman, Louis Armstrong, quickly became known (and later took his place). He was known for his strictness, issuing penalties to musicians who missed notes. His "Carroll Dickerson Savoyagers" then appeared in the Savoy Ballroom, as well as in New York in the late 1920s.

Despite their differences in Chicago over Armstrong taking over the orchestra, musicians such as Armstrong, Buster Bailey, George Mitchell, Earl Hines and Zutty Singleton played in his Savoy Orchestra. The musicians of Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven of 1927 were musicians taken from the Dickerson orchestra, and he himself played with some recordings as a violinist. He also toured with King Oliver.

Dickerson briefly directed the Mills Blue Rhythm Band before returning to Chicago.

Birth and Death Data: Born November 11, 1895, Died October 9, 1957 (Chicago)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1928 - 1930

Roles Represented in DAHR: director, violin

= 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
Victor BVE-58527 10-in. 1/28/1930 St. James Infirmary King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director, instrumentalist, violin  
Victor BVE-58528 10-in. 1/28/1930 When you're smiling (The whole world smiles with you) King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director, instrumentalist, violin  
Victor BVE-59525 10-in. 3/18/1930 I must have it King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Victor BVE-59526 10-in. 3/18/1930 Rhythm Club stomp King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Victor BVE-59527 10-in. 3/18/1930 You're just my type King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Victor BVE-59747 10-in. 4/10/1930 Edna King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Victor BVE-59748 10-in. 4/10/1930 Boogie woogie King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Victor BVE-59749 10-in. 4/10/1930 Mule face blues King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Victor BVE-62236 10-in. 5/22/1930 Struggle buggy King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Victor BVE-62237 10-in. 5/22/1930 Don't you think I love you? King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Victor BVE-62238 10-in. 5/22/1930 Olga King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
OKeh W400992 10-in. 7/5/1928 Symphonic raps Carroll Dickerson ; Savoyagers Jazz/dance band director  
OKeh W400993 10-in. 7/5/1928 Stomp de los del Savoy Carroll Dickerson y su Orquesta Jazz/dance band director  
OKeh W402534 10-in. 7/19/1929 Ain't misbehavin' Louis Armstrong Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, violin, director  
OKeh W402535 10-in. 7/22/1929 (What did I do to be so) Black and blue Louis Armstrong Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, violin  
OKeh W402540 10-in. 7/19/1929 That rhythm man Louis Armstrong Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, violin, director  
OKeh W402541 10-in. 7/19/1929 Sweet Savannah Sue Louis Armstrong Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, violin, director  
OKeh W402923 10-in. 9/10/1929 Some of these days Louis Armstrong Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
OKeh W402924 10-in. 9/11/1929 When you're smiling (The whole world smiles with you) Louis Armstrong Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
OKeh W402943 10-in. 9/10/1929 Some of these days Louis Armstrong Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
OKeh W402947 10-in. 9/11/1929 When you're smiling (The whole world smiles with you) Louis Armstrong Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
OKeh W403454 10-in. 11/26/1929 After you've gone Louis Armstrong Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo director  
OKeh W490005 10-in. 11/26/1929 After you've gone Louis Armstrong Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Brunswick C1976 10-in. 5/25/1928 Missouri squabble Carroll Dickerson’s Savoy Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  
Brunswick C1977 10-in. 5/25/1928 Black Maria Carroll Dickerson’s Savoy Orchestra Jazz/dance band director  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Dickerson, Carroll," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/111115.

Dickerson, Carroll. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/111115.

"Dickerson, Carroll." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/111115

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