Beverly (Beverley) Peer

Beverly Peer (October 7, 1912 – January 16, 1997) was an American jazz double-bassist.

Peer played piano professionally early in his career before switching to bass. He worked with Chick Webb from 1936 to 1939 and continued to play in the orchestra under the direction of Ella Fitzgerald. In 1942 he joined Sabby Lewis's orchestra. He also worked extensively as an accompanist for vocalists such as Sarah Vaughan, Lena Horne, Johnny Mathis, and Barbra Streisand. In the 1950s and 1960s he worked with pianists Barbara Carroll and Ellis Larkins, and worked with Bobby Short from the 1970s into the 1990s, often performing at the Cafe Carlyle in New York City.

He can be heard on Ella Fitzgerald's release "Ella Sings, Chick Swings" as well as other recordings of Ella and the Chick Webb Orchestra.

Aside from music, late in his career Peer also had cameo roles in films such as Hannah and Her Sisters and For Love or Money.

Birth and Death Data: Born October 7, 1912 (New York City), Died January 16, 1997

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1936 - 1956

Roles Represented in DAHR: string bass

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

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 181 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor MS-031431 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late Jan. 1939 Tea for two Chick Webb Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor MS-031432 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late Jan. 1939 Crazy rhythm Chick Webb Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor MS-031433 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late Jan. 1939 Blue skies Chick Webb Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-0154 10-in. 2/20/1947 That ain't right Mildred Bailey ; Ellis Larkins Trio Female vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and string bass instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-0155 10-in. 2/20/1947 I don't wanna miss Mississippi (anymore) Mildred Bailey ; Ellis Larkins Trio Female vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and string bass instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 61361 10-in. 10/29/1936 (If you can't sing it) You'll have to swing it Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 61362 10-in. 10/29/1936 Swinging on the reservation Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 61363 10-in. 10/29/1936 I got the Spring fever blues Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 61364 10-in. 10/29/1936 Vote for Mr. Rhythm Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 61419 10-in. 11/18/1936 My last affair Ella Fitzgerald and her Savoy Eight instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 61420 10-in. 11/18/1936 Organ grinder's swing Ella Fitzgerald and her Savoy Eight instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 61421 10-in. 11/19/1936 Shine Ella Fitzgerald and her Savoy Eight instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 61422 10-in. 11/19/1936 Darktown Strutters' Ball Ella Fitzgerald and her Savoy Eight instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 61520 10-in. 1/14/1937 There's frost on the moon-1 Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 61527 10-in. 1/14/1937 Take another guess Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 61528 10-in. 1/14/1937 Love marches on-1 Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 61530 10-in. 1/15/1937 Gee, but you're swell Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 62064 10-in. 3/24/1937 Rusty hinge Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 62065 10-in. 3/24/1937 Wake up and live-2 Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 62066 10-in. 3/24/1937 It's swell of you Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 62067 10-in. 3/24/1937 You showed me the way Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 62068 10-in. 3/24/1937 Clap hands! Here comes Charley Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 62069 10-in. 3/24/1937 Cryin' mood Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 62072 10-in. 3/24/1937 Love is the thing, so they say Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 62073 10-in. 3/24/1937 That naughty waltz Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
(Results 1-25 of 181 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Peer, Beverly (Beverley)," accessed November 25, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/336956.

Peer, Beverly (Beverley). (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/336956.

"Peer, Beverly (Beverley)." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/336956

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