Johnny Blowers

John G. Blowers Jr. (April 21, 1911 – July 17, 2006) was an American drummer of the swing era. Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States, Blowers ("Blau-ers") learned to play percussion during his schooldays and began performing with the Bob Pope Band in 1936. Blowers attended college at Oglethorpe College, now Oglethorpe University. In 1937, he travelled to New York City, where he found employment as a drummer in Greenwich Village. In 1938, he joined Bunny Berigan's band, and in 1942 he began performing with the up-and-coming Frank Sinatra, who asked Blowers to record with him. They performed and recorded together regularly until the 1950s. In 1947, he opened Club Blowers in the Queens district. In addition to Sinatra, Blowers performed with Louis Armstrong, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Sidney Bechet, Eddie Fisher, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Billie Holiday, and Mel Tormé. Blowers also performed in the They Might Be Giants video, "They'll Need a Crane" from the album, Lincoln.

Birth and Death Data: Born April 21, 1911, Died July 17, 2006

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1935 - 1954

Roles Represented in DAHR: drums

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

Recordings (Results 26-50 of 93 records)

Company	Matrix No.	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Role
Decca	74033	8/6/1947	Ida, sweet as apple cider	Eddie Condon Orchestra	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	75227	9/6/1949	That lucky old sun	Louis Armstrong ; Gordon Jenkins and his Chorus and Orchestra	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	75228	9/6/1949	Blueberry hill-1	Louis Armstrong ; Gordon Jenkins and his Chorus and Orchestra	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	76426	5/29/1950	I'm forever blowing bubbles	Gordon Jenkins ; Artie Shaw	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	76427	5/29/1950	You're mine, you!	Gordon Jenkins ; Artie Shaw	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	76528	6/26/1950	La vie en rose	Louis Armstrong	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	76529	6/26/1950	C' est si bon	Louis Armstrong	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	76662	7/19/1950	Three little words	Bill Darnell	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	76663	7/19/1950	Pink champagne	Bill Darnell	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	76664	7/19/1950	Well, oh well	Bill Darnell	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	76750	8/25/1950	Dream a little dream on me	Louis Armstrong ; Ella Fitzgerald	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	76751	8/25/1950	Can anyone explain	Louis Armstrong ; Ella Fitzgerald	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	76789	8/31/1950	Sit down you're rocking the boat	Louis Armstrong	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	76790	8/31/1950	That's what the man said	Louis Armstrong	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	81214	6/26/1951	Mixed emotions	Ella Fitzgerald	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	81215	6/26/1951	Smooth sailing	Ella Fitzgerald	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	81216	6/26/1951	Come on a-my house	Ella Fitzgerald	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	81281	7/13/1951	Castle rock	Sy Oliver Orchestra	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	81282	7/13/1951	Aboard the sentimental train	Sy Oliver Orchestra	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	81287	7/18/1951	I don't want to make a change	Ella Fitzgerald	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	81288	7/18/1951	There never was a baby like my baby	Ella Fitzgerald	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	81289	7/18/1951	Give a little, get a little	Ella Fitzgerald	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	81300	7/23/1951	The morning side of the mountain	Arthur Prysock	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	81301	7/23/1951	Blue velvet	Arthur Prysock	instrumentalist, drums
Decca	81302	7/23/1951	The love of a gypsy	Arthur Prysock	instrumentalist, drums

(Results 26-50 of 93 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Blowers, Johnny," accessed November 25, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/304724.

Blowers, Johnny. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/304724.

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