Ransom Knowling

Ransom Knowling (24 June 1912 – 22 October 1967) was an American rhythm and blues musician, best known for playing bass on many blues recordings made in Chicago between the 1930s and 1950s, including those of Arthur Crudup and Little Brother Montgomery.

He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and began playing professionally around 1930 in the New Orleans bands led by Sidney Desvigne and Joe Robichaux. As well as bass, he played violin and tuba. By the late 1930s, he had moved to Chicago, and played on many of the blues records made in the city, including those by the Harlem Hamfats, Big Bill Broonzy, Roosevelt Sykes, Washboard Sam, Sonny Boy Williamson, T-Bone Walker, Tommy McClennan, and Muddy Waters. He played on Arthur Crudup's "That's All Right", recorded in 1946.

He died in Chicago in 1967, aged 55.

Birth and Death Data: Born June 24, 1912 (New Orleans), Died October 22, 1967 (Chicago)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1937 - 1951

Roles Represented in DAHR: string bass, tuba

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

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 268 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-034782 10-in. 5/15/1939 You say it's love Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and string bass instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-034783 10-in. 5/15/1939 Bessemer blues Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and string bass instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-034784 10-in. 5/15/1939 Please don't throw me down Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and string bass instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-034785 10-in. 5/15/1939 Sad letter blues Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and string bass instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-034786 10-in. 5/15/1939 Booze head woman Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and string bass instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-034787 10-in. 5/15/1939 If I had known Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and string bass instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-034788 10-in. 5/15/1939 You got to give me some Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and string bass instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-034789 10-in. 5/15/1939 Poor old gal blues Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and string bass instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-034790 10-in. 5/15/1939 No good woman blues Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and string bass instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-034791 10-in. 5/15/1939 Nobody knows how bad I feel Tampa Red Male vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and string bass instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-034792 10-in. 5/15/1939 This time is my time Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-034793 10-in. 5/15/1939 Booker T blues Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-034794 10-in. 5/15/1939 Good old Easy Street Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-034795 10-in. 5/15/1939 I believe I'll make a change Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-034796 10-in. 5/15/1939 Wasn't he bad Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-034797 10-in. 5/15/1939 Diggin' my potatoes Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-034798 10-in. 5/15/1939 I love my baby Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-034799 10-in. 5/15/1939 That will get it Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-059150 10-in. 1/22/1941 Give your mama one smile Lil Green Trio Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-059151 10-in. 1/22/1941 My mellow man Lil Green Trio Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-059152 10-in. 1/22/1941 Knockin' myself out Lil Green Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-059153 10-in. 1/22/1941 I won't sell my love Lil Green Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-064130 10-in. 4/23/1941 Why don't you do it right? Lil Green Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-064131 10-in. 4/23/1941 Love me Lil Green Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-064132 10-in. 4/23/1941 I'm going to copyright your kisses Lil Green Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, string bass  
(Results 1-25 of 268 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Knowling, Ransom," accessed April 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105976.

Knowling, Ransom. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105976.

"Knowling, Ransom." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105976

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