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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 26-50 of 260 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 62596 10-in. 9/15/1937 Honeymoonin' on a dime Willie "The Lion" Smith and his Cubs instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62760 10-in. 11/11/1937 The dipsy doodle Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62761 10-in. 11/11/1937 That's a plenty Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 62830 10-in. 12/1/1937 Sweet Lorraine Jimmie Noone Orchestra instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62831 10-in. 12/1/1937 I know that you know Jimmie Noone Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 62832 10-in. 12/1/1937 Bump it (Apex blues) Jimmie Noone Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 62833 10-in. 12/1/1937 Four or five times Jimmie Noone Orchestra instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62834 10-in. 12/1/1937 Hell in my heart Jimmie Noone Orchestra instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62835 10-in. 12/1/1937 Call me darling, call me sweetheart, call me dear Jimmie Noone Orchestra instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62836 10-in. 12/1/1937 I'm walkin' this town Jimmie Noone Orchestra instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 62837 10-in. 12/1/1937 Japansy Jimmie Noone Orchestra instrumentalist, drums, vocalist  
Decca 63136 10-in. 1/7/1938 Bei mir bist du schoen Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63137 10-in. 1/7/1938 The big dipper Milt Herth Trio instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63141 10-in. 1/10/1938 Passionette Willie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63142 10-in. 1/10/1938 Morning air Willie Smith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63189 10-in. 1/21/1938 Wild man blues Johnny Dodds and his Chicago Boys instrumentalist, drums, washboard, vocalist  
Decca 63190 10-in. 1/21/1938 Melancholy Johnny Dodds and his Chicago Boys instrumentalist, drums, washboard  
Decca 63191 10-in. 1/21/1938 29th and Dearborn Johnny Dodds and his Chicago Boys instrumentalist, drums, washboard  
Decca 63192 10-in. 1/21/1938 Blues galore Johnny Dodds and his Chicago Boys instrumentalist, drums, washboard, vocalist  
Decca 63193 10-in. 1/21/1938 Stack O'Lee blues Johnny Dodds and his Chicago Boys instrumentalist, drums, washboard, vocalist  
Decca 63194 10-in. 1/21/1938 Shake your can Johnny Dodds and his Chicago Boys instrumentalist, drums, washboard, vocalist  
Decca 63251 10-in. 2/7/1938 There ain't gonna be no doggone afterwhile Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63252 10-in. 2/7/1938 If you're a viper Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63253 10-in. 2/7/1938 Baby, it must be love Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 63254 10-in. 2/7/1938 Raggedy but right Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 26-50 of 260 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Spencer, O'Neil," accessed November 1, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086.

Spencer, O'Neil. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 1, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086.

"Spencer, O'Neil." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 1 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/107086

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