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 1-25 of 93 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor MS-023738 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately early June 1938 Now it can be told Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor Jazz/dance band and female vocal soloist instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-023739 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately early June 1938 Flat foot floogie Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor ; Bernie Mackey Jazz/dance band and vocal soloists instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-023740 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately early June 1938 Cowboy from Brooklyn Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Dick Wharton Jazz/dance band and male vocal solos instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-023741 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately early June 1936 Pied piper Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor Jazz/dance band and female vocal soloist instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-023742 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately early June 1938 Wearin' of the green Bunny Berigan Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-024474 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately early July 1938 Small fry Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor Jazz/dance band and female vocal solos instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-024475 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately early July 1938 Hi yo, Silver Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor ; Dick Wharton Jazz/dance band and vocal soloists instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-024476 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately early July 1938 I used to be color blind Bunny Berigan Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor MS-024477 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately early July 1938 Sing, you sinners Bunny Berigan Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, drums  
Victor D5VB-0821 10-in. 11/5/1945 Amor Dick Leibert Instrumental ensemble, with oboe solo instrumentalist, drums  
Victor D5VB-0822 10-in. 11/5/1945 The sweetheart of Sigma Chi Dick Leibert Instrumental ensemble, with clarinet solo instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 68132 10-in. 9/20/1940 When you got to go you got to go Bob Pope Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 68133 10-in. 9/20/1940 That's all I ask of you Bob Pope Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 68134 10-in. 9/20/1940 I want my Lagniappe Bob Pope Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 68135 10-in. 9/20/1940 Stop teasing me Bob Pope Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 71482 10-in. 11/3/1943 Cow cow boogie (Cuma-ti-yi-yi-ay) Ella Fitzgerald ; Ink Spots instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72404 10-in. 10/4/1944 Lover man (oh, where can you be?) Billie Holiday instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72405 10-in. 10/4/1944 No more Billie Holiday instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72692 10-in. 1/14/1945 Jodie man Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72693 10-in. 1/14/1945 I wonder-1 Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72933 10-in. 6/14/1945 Lady be good-1 Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 72934 10-in. 6/14/1945 Swanee-2 Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 74030 8/6/1947 Aunt Hagar's blues Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 74031 8/6/1947 Down among the sheltering palms Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 74032 8/6/1947 Rose of the Rio Grande Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 1-25 of 93 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Blowers, Johnny," accessed November 9, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/304724.

Blowers, Johnny. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/304724.

"Blowers, Johnny." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 9 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/304724

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