Elmer James
Elmer James (* 1910 in Yonkers , New York ; † July 21, 1954 in New York City ) is an American swing jazz bassist .
Elmer James played as a teenager with the Revellers of Gene Rodgers , in the early 1930s with Chick Webb and June Clark , among others, during which time he switched from tuba to double bass like other bassists , and also with Fletcher Henderson (1934), 1934 to 1936 with Lucky Millinder , 1937 to 1939 in the Combo Edgar Hayes and in the Disciples of Swing by Mezz Mezzrow and 1950 with Claude Hopkins . After that he worked as a salesman and only played occasionally, for example with Zutty Singleton.
In addition to the big bands mentioned (with Chick Webb also with Louis Armstrong ) he recorded with Buster Bailey , Benny Carter , Red Allen , the Mills Blue Rhythm Band , Tommy Ladnier , Jabbo Smith and Kenny Clarke . Tom Lord has 38 recordings from 1929 to 1940 in his jazz discography.
He also played the baritone saxophone .
He is not to be confused with the guitarist Elmore James .
Lexical entry
- Carlo Bohländer , Karl Heinz Holler, Christian Pfarr: Reclam's Jazz Guide . 3rd, revised and expanded edition. Reclam, Stuttgart 1989, ISBN 3-15-010355-X .
Web links
- Elmer James at Allmusic (English)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | James, Elmer |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American swing jazz bassist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1910 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Yonkers |
| DATE OF DEATH | July 21, 1954 |
| Place of death | New York City |