Ben Thigpen

Ben Thigpen (November 16, 1908 – October 5, 1971) was an American jazz drummer. He is the father of drummer Ed Thigpen.

He was born Benjamin F. Thigpen in Laurel, Mississippi. Ben Thigpen played piano as a child, having been trained by his sister Eva. He played in South Bend, Indiana with Bobby Boswell in the 1920s, and then moved to Chicago to study under Jimmy Bertrand. While there he played with many noted Chicago bandleaders and performers, including Doc Cheatham. He played with Charlie Elgar's Creole Band during 1927-1929 but did not record with them. Following this he spent time in Cleveland with J. Frank Terry, and then became the drummer for Andy Kirk's Clouds of Joy, where he stayed from 1930 to 1947. Much of his work is available on collections highlighting the piano work of Mary Lou Williams, who also played in this ensemble.

After his time with Kirk, Thigpen's career is poorly documented. He led his own quintet in St. Louis and recorded with Singleton Palmer in the 1960s.

Birth and Death Data: Born November 16, 1908 (Laurel), Died October 5, 1971 (St. Louis)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1936 - 1946

Roles Represented in DAHR: drums, vocalist

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

Recordings (Results 51-75 of 143 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 63258 10-in. 2/8/1938 I'll get by Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63259 10-in. 2/8/1938 Little Joe from Chicago-1 Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64612 10-in. 9/9/1938 The gal that wrecked my life Rodney Sturgis instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64613 10-in. 9/9/1938 Bless you, my dear Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64614 10-in. 9/9/1938 How can we be wrong? Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64615 10-in. 9/9/1938 Mess-a stomp-1 Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64642 10-in. 9/2/1938 Toadie toddle Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64643 10-in. 9/2/1938 won't tell a soul (I love you) Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64644 10-in. 9/2/1938 What would people say? Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64645 10-in. 9/2/1938 How much do you mean to me? Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64662 10-in. 9/14/1938 The pearls Mary Lou Williams instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64663 10-in. 9/14/1938 Mr. Freddie blues Mary Lou Williams instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64664 10-in. 9/14/1938 Sweet (Patootie) Patunia Mary Lou Williams instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64665 10-in. 9/14/1938 The rocks Mary Lou Williams instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64694 10-in. 10/24/1938 Jump Jack jump Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64695 10-in. 10/24/1938 Breeze Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64696 10-in. 10/24/1938 Ghost of love Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64697 10-in. 10/24/1938 What a life Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64698 10-in. 10/25/1938 Sittin' around and dreamin' Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64699 10-in. 10/25/1938 What's your story, morning glory? Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64777 10-in. 12/5/1938 Honey Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64778 10-in. 12/5/1938 September in the rain Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64779 10-in. 12/5/1938 Clouds Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64780 10-in. 12/5/1938 Julius Caesar Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 64781 10-in. 12/5/1938 Dunkin' a doughnut-1 Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 51-75 of 143 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Thigpen, Ben," accessed November 22, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/210119.

Thigpen, Ben. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/210119.

"Thigpen, Ben." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 22 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/210119

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