Cuba Austin was an American jazz

Jazz

Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...

 drummer.

Born in Charleston, West Virginia

Charleston, West Virginia

Charleston is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. As of the 2010 census, it has a population of 51,400, and its metropolitan area 304,214. It is the county seat of Kanawha County.Early...

, Austin first enters the record as a member of William McKinney

William McKinney

William McKinney was an American jazz drummer who led a series of musical groups, most notably McKinney's Cotton Pickers.William "Bill" McKinney was born in Cynthiana, Kentucky...

's group, McKinney's Cotton Pickers

McKinney's Cotton Pickers

McKinney's Cotton Pickers were an African American jazz band founded in Detroit in 1926 by William McKinney, who expanded his Synco Septet to ten pieces. Cuba Austin took over for McKinney early on drums....

. Austin joined the group after its formation in 1926, taking over for McKinney himself on drums. The group recorded frequently, both under the names Cotton Pickers and Chocolate Dandies.

In 1931, the Cotton Pickers split into two ensembles, with Austin heading one of them, which took the name The Original Cotton Pickers. When he disbanded this group, he moved to Baltimore

Baltimore

Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...

 and worked on his own as well as in an orchestra with Rivers Chambers

Rivers Chambers

Rivers Chambers was one of the major leaders in the jazz scene, part of the music of Baltimore. He was originally a pianist with John Ridgely, part of the first jazz band in Baltimore, and later led the house band at the Royal Theatre for many years. His Rivers Chambers Orchestra was a fixture on...

. Austin's date of death is unknown.

Austin was an influential figure in early jazz; Gene Krupa

Gene Krupa

Gene Krupa was an American jazz and big band drummer and composer, known for his highly energetic and flamboyant style.-Biography:...

 called Austin one of his major influences. Austin was one of the first drummers to use the newly-invented hi hat in hot and swing jazz.