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O'Neil Spencer

William "O'Neil" 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 25, 1909 (Cedarville), Died July 24, 1944 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1937 - 1942

Roles Represented in DAHR: drums, vocalist, washboard

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

Recordings (Results 76-100 of 260 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 63862 10-in. 5/25/1938 Swing low, sweet chariot Three Ebony instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63863 10-in. 5/25/1938 Go down Moses Three Ebony instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63864 10-in. 5/25/1938 Heartbroken blues Three Ebony instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63865 10-in. 5/25/1938 Mississippi moan Three Ebony instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63866 10-in. 5/26/1938 Freight train blues Trixie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63867 10-in. 5/26/1938 Trixie blues Trixie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63868 10-in. 5/26/1938 My Daddy rocks me Trixie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63869 10-in. 5/26/1938 My Daddy rocks me No.2 Trixie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63870 10-in. 5/26/1938 He may be your man Trixie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63871 10-in. 5/26/1938 Jack I'm mellow Trixie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63872 10-in. 5/26/1938 Lady be good Trixie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63873 10-in. 5/26/1938 Uncle Joe Grant and Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63874 5/26/1938 I am a woman Grant and Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63875 10-in. 5/26/1938 Toot it, brother Armstrong-1 Grant and Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63876 5/26/1938 Blue Monday on Sugar Hill Grant and Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63877 10-in. 5/26/1938 My unusual man Trixie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64226 10-in. 6/27/1938 I can tell by looking in your eyes Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64232 10-in. 6/27/1938 Dapper Dan Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64233 10-in. 6/27/1938 You better come back Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64234 10-in. 6/27/1938 Southern Casey Jones Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64254 10-in. 7/5/1938 Gobblins in the steeple Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64255 10-in. 7/5/1938 Minuet in jazz Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64341 10-in. 7/22/1938 La-de-doody-do Milt Herth Quartet instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 64342 10-in. 7/22/1938 Home-cookin' Mama with the fryin' pan Milt Herth Quartet instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 64343 10-in. 7/26/1938 I used to love you Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 76-100 of 260 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Spencer, O'Neil," accessed November 24, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086.

Spencer, O'Neil. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086.

"Spencer, O'Neil." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 24 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086

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