dr, 1895-1982 US, Long Branch, New Jersey
Singer / Musician of Jazz
Sonny Greer (13 December 1895 – 23 March 1982) was an American jazz drummer and vocalist, best known for his work with Duke Ellington.Greer was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, and played with Elmer Snowden's band and the Howard Theatre's orchestra in Washington, D.C. before joining Duke Ellington, whom he met in 1919. He was Ellington's first drummer, playing with his quintet, the Washingtonians, and moving with Ellington into the Cotton Club. As a result of his job as a designer with the Leedy Drum Company of Indiana, Greer was able to build up a huge drum kit worth over a then-considerable $3,000, including chimes, a gong, timpani, and vibes.
Track list and 30sec audio provided by
Title | Artist | Year | Type |
---|---|---|---|
Jamming At Rudi's | Danny Barker, Eubie Blake, Dave Burley, Pops Foster, Tyree Glenn, Sonny Greer, Conrad Janis, John Jeffrey, Kenny Kersey, Freddie Moore, Hot Lips Page, Walter Page, Burney Peacock, Paul Quinichette, Tom Sharpsteen, R. C. H. Smith, Ralph Sutton, Bob Wilber | 1996 | Compil. |
The Queen And Her Knights | Victoria Spivey With Lonnie Johnson, Little Brother Montgomery, Memphis Slim, Sonny Greer | 1965 | Album |
Rex Stewart And His Orchestra | Duke Ellington, Ben Webster, Harry Carney, Lawrence Brown, Jimmy Blanton, Sonny Greer With Rex Stewart And His Orchestra | 1954 | Compil. |
Jamming At Rudi's, No. 2 | Hot Lips Page, Tyree Glenn, Sonny Greer, Paul Quinichette, Burney Peacock, Walter Page, Dan Burley, Danny Barker | 1951 | Album |
Sunny Jungle / Main Street | Sonny Greer | 1946 | Album |
Mood Indigo / The Mooche | Sonny Greer And The The Duke's Men | 1945 | Album |
Sonny Greer's Jazz Express | Sonny Greer | Single | |
Capitol Presents Coleman Hawkins & Sonny Greer | Coleman Hawkins / Sonny Greer | Compil. | |
Newport Jazz Festival 3 July 1958/ Paris Jazz Festival 3 November 1965 | Cootie Williams, Rex Stewart, Tyree Glenn, Hilton Jefferson, Ben Webster, Billy Strayhorn, Oscar Pettiford, Sonny Greer, Roy Eldridge, Stuff Smith, Don Byas, Earl Hines, Jimmy Woode, Kenny Clarke | Album |
Sonny Greer And His Memphis Men US Jazz |
Sonny Greer And His Rextet Jazz |