Daily Dose Of Jazz…

William “O’Neil” Spencer was born on November 25, 1909 in Cedarville, Ohio and began his career with local bands in the Buffalo, New York area. In 1931, he began working for Al Sears before joining up with the Mills Blue Rhythm Band from 1931 to 1936, which later became the Lucky Millinder Orchestra.

However, it wasn’t until 1937 after joining the popular John Kirby Sextet that he truly became an influential force on the jazz scene. Unfortunately, Spencer had to leave for a time in 1941 due to tuberculosis. However, during the late Thirties he recorded with numerous other groups, including Red Allen, Sidney Bechet, Jimmie Noone, Johnny Dodds, Frankie Newton, Milt Hearth, and Lil Armstrong.

He left the Kirby sextet in 1941 to work briefly with Louis Armstrong, but returned in ’42. His career, however, was cut short in 1943 when he contracted tuberculosis. Drummer and singer O’Neil Spencer transitioned on July 24, 1944 in New York City at the age of thirty-five.

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ULYSSES OWENS JR. & GENERATION Y

Drummer. Educator. Author. Creative Entrepreneur. A drummer who The New York Times has said “take a back seat to no one,” and “a musician who balances excitement gracefully and shines with innovation. Performer, producer, and educator Ulysses Owens Jr. goes the limit in the jazz world and beyond.

Generation Y is a quintet comprised of the most dynamic young jazz musicians on the scene. This group is dedicated to moving the music forward, with a love of the jazz tradition.

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Eddie Graham was born on November 18, 1937 in New York City. Inspired by his father who played the trombone, he acquired an early interest in rhythm which prompted him to begin the study of drums at age nine. After moving with his family from New York to Miami, Florida at 14, he had a continuing television series on WTVJ with his Swing Kings. During this time his interest in Dixieland jazz was fostered by an acquaintance with drummer “Preacher” Rollo Laylan who frequently imported jazz names to Miami.

Attending the University of Miami he performed for several seasons with the Miami Symphony before migrating to California to accompany such diverse luminaries as Jack Jones, Elvis Presley, and Anita O’Day. He toured as accompanist and conductor for Roberta Sherwood, Vic Dana and Kay Stevens during the Sixties. Eddie settled in Las Vegas, Nevada on a long term contract with Latin concert pianist, Esquivel. He toured Japan with the Village Stompers, and appeared on television with ragtime pianist Big Tiny Little. As a percussionist in the Vegas showrooms, he accompanied Rich Little, Sammy Davis Jr., Presley, Johnny Mathis, and Mack Davis, while hitting the stage with his own jazz group.

The early seventies saw him in Hawaii with trombonist Trummy Young and then hooked up with Earl “Fatha” Hines as a featured artist from 1975 to 1980. On concert tours in Europe, Australia, South America and Japan, Ed has appeared with such artists as Benny Carter, Joe Venuti, Bobby Hackett, Red Norvo, Dorothy Donegan, Barney Bigard, and Stan Getz.

Graham went on to record two albums as a leader, one studio and one live, Hot Stix and S’Wonderful Jazz, respectively. He recorded with Earl Hines on Tony Bennet’s Improv record label, with Marva Josie and a collaboration with trumpeter Billy Butterfield.

In the 80’s, he was a musical director and featured soloist in Las Vegas, and a member of the Peanuts Hucko Quartet in Palm Springs, Califonia. He [layed numerous festivals and clubs around the country during this period, and was a founding member of the 21 piece Monterey Peninsula Jazz Orchestra as percussionist and soloist at Clint Eastwood’s Mission Ranch in Carmel. At eighty-five drummer Eddie Graham still occasionally plays.

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BILLY HIGGINS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION & CONCERT

A community gathering presented by Performers Alley, hosted by Robert J. Carmack. It’s a new jazz Series produced by Music Arts & World Stage Performance Gallery. Paying tribute to Billy Higgins, the founder’s birthday concert and celebration of his legacy since 1989. An eclectic panel on stage during show friends and past peers that played or worked with him as an artist. musical guests include  Marvin “Smitty” Smith Sextet featuring saxophonists Ralph Moore & Dale Fielder. Also very special appearances by Jazz impresario, Todd Barkin/Keystone Korner Baltimore, Willie Jones III mentored by Higgins.  The show is Live Stream to the World.

Tickets are Available NOW exclusively at View stub.com  $15/$10(ONLINE ONLY) ticket online is On Demand capability/ Access code expire in two weeks, One view only. We accept credit or debit.

Media: www.hipstersanctuary.com  More info @blues2jazzguy or pocketjazz@musician.com  call & leave info 951 560-2253

 

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FRANK DERRICK BIG BAND

Drummer, Frank Derrick, has led a multifaceted national and international music career. He is a virtuoso performer, composer, and educator.  His many theatrical credits include Bubbling Brown Sugar, The Wiz, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Sophisticated Ladies, Big River, and Catskills. He has performed with numerous legends and artists including Redd Foxx, Stephanie Mills, Della Reese, Freda Payne, Eubie Blake, The Platters, Eartha Kitt, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Dorothy Donegan, The Pointer Sisters, Ken Peplowski, Dakota Staton, Steve Allen, The Louis Armstrong Legacy Band, Donna Summer, Keely Smith, Maureen McGovern, Ann Hampton Callaway, Benny Carter, and has conducted on the concert stage for John Pizzarelli and Lanie Kazan. He toured worldwide with Cab Calloway for ten years and was drummer for “The David Letterman Show” on NBC.

Frank has served as the drummer, assistant conductor & personnel manager for the Palm Beach Pops and is the conductor and featured artist with the Bob Hoose Orchestra.  Familiar to symphony audiences around the world, Frank Derrick has appeared with the Royal Philharmonic, the New York Pops, Pittsburgh Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, and the Buffalo Philharmonic. His precision and driving rhythmic styling has been featured on the cast album of Bubbling Brown Sugar, Big City Swing with Veronica Martell, Strong & Graceful Oaks with Rejoice Ensemble, The Cab Calloway Show Live in Freiburg Germany, and Something Old, Something New with The Bob Hoose Orchestra.   His “Straight Ahead” composition garnered the A.S.C.A.P. Special Award and his most recent CD, The Beat Goes On for the Jazzed Media label. He leads his own ensemble, the Frank Derrick Big Band.  Learn more at www.frankderrick.com

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