Black Benny
"Black Benny" Williams (* around 1890 in New Orleans ; † 1924 there ) was an American drummer ( bass drum ) of New Orleans jazz .
He has legendary status in New Orleans jazz, but is only known from stories by Louis Armstrong (who was a protector of Black Benny), Sidney Bechet , Jelly Roll Morton and others, not from recordings. He grew up in a rough black neighborhood of New Orleans (called The Battleground ) and was often in jail. He also worked as a prize boxer and bouncer, and is reported to have been shot by a jealous woman.
He played in the Onward Brass Band , the Camelia and Tuxedo Brass Band , among others .
Lexical entry
- Ian Carr , Digby Fairweather , Brian Priestley : Rough Guide Jazz. The ultimate guide to jazz music. 1700 artists and bands from the beginning until today. Metzler, Stuttgart / Weimar 1999, ISBN 3-476-01584-X .
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Benny, Black |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Williams, Benny |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American jazz drummer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | around 1890 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | New Orleans |
| DATE OF DEATH | 1924 |
| Place of death | New Orleans |