Black Benny
Encyclopedia
Black Benny Williams was a New Orleans-based bass drum
mer of legendary status who played in brass bands in the early decades of the 20th century. Black Benny was recalled by many New Orleans musicians of the era, but left no recordings.
Black Benny was born and died in New Orleans. He grew up in a rough poor African-American neighborhood of the Third Ward of New Orleans known as "The Battleground". He played with such notable brass bands as the Onward, Camelia, and Tuxedo Brass Band
, and with such leaders as Kid Ory
, Kid Rena
, and Wooden Joe Nicholas
.
Benny was in and out of jails all his life, and once shot a bystander during a march on Canal Street
, and reportedly was shot by a jealous woman. In addition to his work as a drummer, Williams worked as a bouncer and a prizefighter.
An early colleague of Louis Armstrong
, Black Benny is referred to in Armstrong's autobiography
, and helped look after young Louis during his tough childhood. Sidney Bechet
also talks about Black Benny Williams in his autobiography, as does Jelly Roll Morton
in his Library of Congress interviews.
Bass drum
Bass drums are percussion instruments that can vary in size and are used in several musical genres. Three major types of bass drums can be distinguished. The type usually seen or heard in orchestral, ensemble or concert band music is the orchestral, or concert bass drum . It is the largest drum of...
mer of legendary status who played in brass bands in the early decades of the 20th century. Black Benny was recalled by many New Orleans musicians of the era, but left no recordings.
Black Benny was born and died in New Orleans. He grew up in a rough poor African-American neighborhood of the Third Ward of New Orleans known as "The Battleground". He played with such notable brass bands as the Onward, Camelia, and Tuxedo Brass Band
Tuxedo Brass Band
The Tuxedo Brass Band, sometimes called the Original Tuxedo Brass Band, was one of the most highly regarded brass bands of New Orleans, Louisiana in the 1910s and 1920s....
, and with such leaders as Kid Ory
Kid Ory
Edward "Kid" Ory was a jazz trombonist and bandleader. He was born in Woodland Plantation near LaPlace, Louisiana.-Biography:...
, Kid Rena
Kid Rena
Henry "Kid" Rena was an American jazz trumpeter who was an early star of the New Orleans jazz scene....
, and Wooden Joe Nicholas
Wooden Joe Nicholas
Wooden Joe Nicholas was an American jazz trumpeter and cornetist, active on the early New Orleans jazz scene. He was born in New Orleans....
.
Benny was in and out of jails all his life, and once shot a bystander during a march on Canal Street
Canal Street, New Orleans
Canal Street is a major thoroughfare in the city of New Orleans. Forming the upriver boundary of the city's oldest neighborhood, the French Quarter , it acted as the dividing line between the older French/Spanish Colonial-era city and the newer American Sector, today's Central Business District.The...
, and reportedly was shot by a jealous woman. In addition to his work as a drummer, Williams worked as a bouncer and a prizefighter.
An early colleague of Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
, Black Benny is referred to in Armstrong's autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
, and helped look after young Louis during his tough childhood. Sidney Bechet
Sidney Bechet
Sidney Bechet was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer.He was one of the first important soloists in jazz , and was perhaps the first notable jazz saxophonist...
also talks about Black Benny Williams in his autobiography, as does Jelly Roll Morton
Jelly Roll Morton
Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe , known professionally as Jelly Roll Morton, was an American ragtime and early jazz pianist, bandleader and composer....
in his Library of Congress interviews.