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Bill White's avatar

A name I certainly knew but little more. O’Neill Spencer given both recognition and context. Thanks. A bit of a tangent but but with some pertinence to the the Johnny Dodds release featuring O’Neill’s vocal, is this gem of a book: Stagolee Shot Billy - Cecil Brown, Harvard University Press, 2004

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james's avatar

great article vinnie... thanks!

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KF's avatar

Regarding Footnote #3: Check out this website.

https://www.thecoloredmusiciansclub.com

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Allen Lowe's avatar

Don't be so surprised about Claude Thornhill who, despite his image, was an extremely musically aware, hip, guy. If you can find it, read Michael Zwerin's account of touring with the band. His picture of Thornhill is funny and complicated; he was not a moldy fig by any means. But, listen to this piece Thornhill wrote for the group, which is wildly unorthodox, even "avant garde" (Portrait of a Guinea Farm - 1941!):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sihDk6b44dA

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