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Big Bill Broonzy

Big Bill Broonzy (born Lee Conley Bradley; June 26, 1893 or 1903 – August 14, 1958) was an American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. His career began in the 1920s, when he played country music to mostly African-American audiences. In the 1930s and 1940s, he navigated a change in style to a more urban blues sound popular with working-class black audiences. In the 1950s, a return to his traditional folk-blues roots made him one of the leading figures of the emerging American folk music revival and an international star. His long and varied career marks him as one of the key figures in the development of blues music in the 20th century.

Broonzy copyrighted more than 300 songs, including adaptations of traditional folk songs and original blues songs. As a blues composer, he was unique in writing songs that reflected his rural-to-urban experiences.

Birth and Death Data: Born June 26, 1893 (Scott County), Died August 14, 1958 (Chicago)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1930 - 1953

Roles Represented in DAHR: guitar, vocalist, composer, lyricist, songwriter, speaker

Notes: Often billed as Big Bill; composer credits as Williard Broonzy.

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

Recordings (Results 26-50 of 251 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-100941 10-in. 8/5/1936 Crazy about Nancy Jane Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and washboard instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-100942 10-in. 8/5/1936 Cherry Hill blues Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and washboard instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-100943 10-in. 8/5/1936 Levee blues Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and washboard instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-01882 10-in. 12/21/1936 I love all my women Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-01883 10-in. 12/21/1936 Out with the wrong woman Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-01884 10-in. 12/21/1936 Come on in Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-01885 10-in. 12/21/1936 Big woman Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-01886 10-in. 12/21/1936 Nashville, Tennessee Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-01887 10-in. 12/21/1936 Razor cuttin' man Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-020156 10-in. 3/14/1938 Just like Jesse James Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-020157 10-in. 3/14/1938 Reefer head woman Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-020158 10-in. 3/14/1938 Gillum's windy blues Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-020159 10-in. 3/14/1938 New "Sail on little girl" Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-020160 10-in. 3/14/1938 Sweet, sweet woman Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-020161 10-in. 3/14/1938 Boar hog blues Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-034792 10-in. 5/15/1939 This time is my time Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-034793 10-in. 5/15/1939 Booker T blues Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-034794 10-in. 5/15/1939 Good old Easy Street Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-034795 10-in. 5/15/1939 I believe I'll make a change Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-034796 10-in. 5/15/1939 Wasn't he bad Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-034797 10-in. 5/15/1939 Diggin' my potatoes Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-034798 10-in. 5/15/1939 I love my baby Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-034799 10-in. 5/15/1939 That will get it Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-034810 10-in. 5/17/1939 Got to reap what you sow Jazz Gillum ; Jazz Boys Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-034811 10-in. 5/17/1939 Big Katy Adam Jazz Gillum ; Jazz Boys Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
(Results 26-50 of 251 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Broonzy, Big Bill," accessed November 25, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/108656.

Broonzy, Big Bill. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/108656.

"Broonzy, Big Bill." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/108656

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