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| | American boogie woogie and piano blues player as well as a vaudeville entertainer. He also played the organ and sang.
Born 23 April 1894 in Anniston, ALA, USA, died 2 December 1955 in Cleveland, OH, USA.
As a youngster played ragtime and blues for private affairs, in honky-tonks and brothels around Birmingham, Ala., playing ground for much piano talent: Pinetop Smith, Jabo Williams, Walter Roland, Arthur Bascomb, Avery Parrish, George Tremer, Robert McCoy, Mack Rhinehart, Fred Longshaw, even Jelly Roll Morton. Travelled with tent shows, later on the TOBA (Theatre Owners Booking Association) circuit. Frequented Chicago and Detroit in the late 1920s. Settled in Cleveland in the late 1930s. Cut numerous gramophone records and some piano rolls. His 'Cow Cow Blues' is a boogie classic built around a bass line turning up in several other blues. Little Brother Montgomery and Sweet Williams learned it from Cow Cow at Chicago house rent parties.
(from "Deep South Piano" by Karl Gert zur Heide) |
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