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 1-25 of 260 records)
| Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor | BS-063837 | 10-in. | 5/1/1941 | I see a million people (but all I can see is you) | Una Mae Carlisle | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet | instrumentalist, drums | |
| Victor | BS-063838 | 10-in. | 5/1/1941 | Oh, I'm evil | Una Mae Carlisle | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet | instrumentalist, drums | |
| Victor | BS-063839 | 10-in. | 5/1/1941 | You mean so much to me | Una Mae Carlisle | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet | instrumentalist, drums | |
| Victor | BS-063840 | 10-in. | 5/1/1941 | The boogie-woogie piggy | Una Mae Carlisle | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet | instrumentalist, drums | |
| Victor | BS-066879 | 10-in. | 7/22/1941 | Can't help lovin' dat man | Una Mae Carlisle | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet | instrumentalist, drums | |
| Victor | BS-066880 | 10-in. | 7/22/1941 | It ain't like that | Una Mae Carlisle | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet | instrumentalist, drums | |
| Victor | BS-066881 | 10-in. | 7/22/1941 | Anything | Una Mae Carlisle | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet | instrumentalist, drums | |
| Victor | BS-066882 | 10-in. | 7/22/1941 | City called heaven | Una Mae Carlisle | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet | instrumentalist, drums | |
| Victor | BS-067962 | 10-in. | 10/3/1941 | I'm the one who loves you | Una Mae Carlisle | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet | instrumentalist, drums | |
| Victor | BS-067963 | 10-in. | 10/3/1941 | My wish | Una Mae Carlisle | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet | instrumentalist, drums | |
| Victor | BS-067964 | 10-in. | 10/3/1941 | Coffee and cakes | Una Mae Carlisle | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet | instrumentalist, drums | |
| Victor | BS-067965 | 10-in. | 10/3/1941 | Moonlight masquerade | Una Mae Carlisle | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet | instrumentalist, drums | |
| Victor | BS-071902 | 10-in. | 2/11/1942 | No blues at all | John Kirby Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, drums | |
| Victor | BS-071903 | 10-in. | 2/11/1942 | St. Louis blues | John Kirby Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, drums | |
| Victor | BS-071908 | 10-in. | 2/13/1942 | Don't tetch it! | Una Mae Carlisle | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet | instrumentalist, drums | |
| Victor | BS-071909 | 10-in. | 2/13/1942 | So long, Shorty (You've got a long way to go) | Una Mae Carlisle | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet | instrumentalist, drums | |
| Victor | BS-071910 | 10-in. | 2/13/1942 | I'm tryin' | Una Mae Carlisle | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet | instrumentalist, drums | |
| Victor | BS-071911 | 10-in. | 2/13/1942 | Sweet talk | Una Mae Carlisle | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet | instrumentalist, drums | |
| Decca | 62372 | 10-in. | 7/14/1937 | Get acquainted with yourself | Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs | instrumentalist, drums, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 62373 | 10-in. | 7/14/1937 | Knock wood | Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs | instrumentalist, drums, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 62374 | 10-in. | 7/14/1937 | Peace, brother, peace | Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs | instrumentalist, drums, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 62375 | 10-in. | 7/14/1937 | The old stamping ground | Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs | instrumentalist, drums, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 62593 | 10-in. | 9/15/1937 | Blues, why don't you let me alone? | Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs | instrumentalist, drums | ||
| Decca | 62594 | 10-in. | 9/15/1937 | I've got to think it over | Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs | instrumentalist, drums, vocalist | ||
| Decca | 62595 | 10-in. | 9/15/1937 | Achin' hearted blues | Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs | instrumentalist, drums, vocalist |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Spencer, O'Neil," accessed November 25, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086.
Spencer, O'Neil. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086.
"Spencer, O'Neil." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 November 2024.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
External Sources
Wikipedia: O'Neill Spencer
Discogs: O'Neil Spencer
Allmusic: O'Neil Spencer
Grove: O'Neil Spencer
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Spencer, O'Neil, 1909-1944 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n94048915
Wikidata: O'Neill Spencer - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q2043379
VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/22328868
MusicBrainz: O'Neill Spencer - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/40727d52-6756-48d3-a26b-088541060865
ISNI: 0000 0000 6309 1588 - http://www.isni.org/isni/0000000063091588
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