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 126-143 of 143 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 71242 10-in. 7/31/1942 Unlucky blues Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 71535 10-in. 12/3/1943 Shorty boo Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 71536 10-in. 12/3/1943 Fare Thee well honey Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 71537 10-in. 12/3/1943 Baby don't you tell me no lie Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 71538 10-in. 12/3/1943 Things 'bout comin' my way Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 73161 10-in. 11/27/1945 Get together with the Lord The Jubalaires ; Andy Kirk instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 73162 10-in. 11/27/1945 I know The Jubalaires ; Andy Kirk instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 73163 10-in. 11/27/1945 Soothe me The Jubalaires ; Andy Kirk instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 73264 1/3/1946 He's my baby Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 73265 1/3/1946 Alabama bound Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 73266 1/3/1946 Soothe me Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 73267 1/3/1946 Doggin' man blues Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 73590 5/23/1946 I don't know what I'd do without you Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 73591 5/23/1946 I'm so lonesome I could cry Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 73751 12/2/1946 Now you tell me Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 73752 12/2/1946 Louella Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 73753 12/2/1946 So soon The Four Knights instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 73754 12/2/1946 I'm falling for you The Four Knights instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 126-143 of 143 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Thigpen, Ben," accessed November 22, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/210119.

Thigpen, Ben. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://adpprod1.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://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/210119

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