Ulysses Livingston

Ulysses Livingston (January 29, 1912, Bristol, Tennessee - October 7, 1988, Los Angeles) was an American jazz guitarist and bass guitarist.

Livingston's career in music began in the band of Horace Henderson as a roadie (or, as Henderson called them, "valet"). Prior to this he had played in the band of the West Virginia State College. After his period with Henderson he played in carnival bands on traveling road shows. In the middle of the 1930s he began to get jazz gigs with Lil Armstrong, Frankie Newton, Sammy Price, Coleman Hawkins, and Benny Carter. After moving to New York City, he accompanied Ella Fitzgerald on tour and on record. He served briefly in the military during World War II, but returned to jazz playing on the West Coast in 1943. He played with Cee Pee Johnson in Hawaii in 1947.

Alongside his guitar playing, Livingston also sang with the Spirits of Rhythm, and led a group called the Four Blazes. From the 1950s he did freelance work with West Coast jazz musicians and also became active as a record producer. In the 1970s he took up electric bass alongside the guitar, and recorded with both instruments.

Birth and Death Data: Born January 29, 1912 (Bristol), Died October 7, 1988

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1939 - 1959

Roles Represented in DAHR: guitar

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

Recordings (Results 26-50 of 52 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 68558 10-in. 1/8/1941 Three little words Ella Fitzgerald and her Famous Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 68559 10-in. 1/8/1941 Hello Ma, I done it again Ella Fitzgerald and her Famous Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 68560 10-in. 1/8/1941 Wishful thinking Ella Fitzgerald and her Famous Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 68561 10-in. 1/8/1941 The one I love (belongs to somebody else) Ella Fitzgerald and her Famous Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 68562 10-in. 1/8/1941 The muffin mac Ella Fitzgerald and her Famous Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 68894 10-in. 3/31/1941 Keep cool, fool Ella Fitzgerald and her Famous Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 68895 10-in. 3/31/1941 No nothing Ella Fitzgerald and her Famous Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 68896 10-in. 3/31/1941 My man Ella Fitzgerald and her Famous Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 69784 10-in. 10/6/1941 Jim Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 69785 10-in. 10/6/1941 This love of mine Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 69875 10-in. 10/28/1941 Somebody nobody loves Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 69876 10-in. 10/28/1941 You don't know what love is Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 69905 10-in. 11/5/1941 Who are you? Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 69906 10-in. 11/5/1941 I'm thrilled Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 69907 10-in. 11/5/1941 Make love to me Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca DLA 2607 10-in. 7/31/1941 I can't believe that you're in love with me Ella Fitzgerald and her Famous Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca DLA 2608 10-in. 7/31/1941 I must have that man Ella Fitzgerald and her Famous Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca DLA 2609 10-in. 7/31/1941 When my sugar walks down the street Ella Fitzgerald and her Famous Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca DLA 2610 10-in. 7/31/1941 I got it bad (And that ain't good) Ella Fitzgerald and her Famous Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca DLA 2611 10-in. 7/30/1941 Melinda the Mousie Ella Fitzgerald and her Famous Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca DLA 2612 10-in. 7/30/1941 Can't help lovin' dat man Ella Fitzgerald and her Famous Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 11428 3/13/1959 The birth of the blues Earl Grant instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 11429 3/13/1959 Jumpin' with Symphony Sid Earl Grant instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 11430 3/13/1959 My heart reminds me Earl Grant instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 11431 3/25/1959 House of bamboo Earl Grant instrumentalist, guitar  
(Results 26-50 of 52 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Livingston, Ulysses," accessed November 25, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/327686.

Livingston, Ulysses. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/327686.

"Livingston, Ulysses." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/327686

Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

Feedback

Send the Editors a message about this record.