Leo Adde
Encyclopedia
Leo Adde was an American jazz
drummer.
Adde began by playing the cigar box
on percussion, and played as a duo with Raymond Burke
on the streets of New Orleans in the mid-1910s. Adde joined the Halfway House Orchestra under Abbie Brunies early in the 1920s, and played in Johnny Millinder's New Orleans Frolickers at the end of the decade. Adde also recorded in the 1920s with Johnny Bayersdorffer
and with the New Orleans Rhythm Kings
.
In the 1930s Adde drummed with the Melody Masters, led by Sharkey Bonano
and Louis Prima
's brother Leon Prima
. He moved with the ensemble to New York City
, where they sometimes performed as the New Orleans Melody Masters. Later in the decade he recorded with the New Orleans Owls, and returned to New Orleans before the end of the 1930s.
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.
Adde began by playing the cigar box
Cigar box
Cigar boxes are popular juggling props. Their rectangular shape resembles that of its namesake; they are sometimes padded on the ends and/or the sides with a felt-like material....
on percussion, and played as a duo with Raymond Burke
Raymond Burke
Raymond Burke may refer to:*Raymond Burke , a New Orleans jazz clarinetist*Raymond H. Burke, United States politician from Ohio...
on the streets of New Orleans in the mid-1910s. Adde joined the Halfway House Orchestra under Abbie Brunies early in the 1920s, and played in Johnny Millinder's New Orleans Frolickers at the end of the decade. Adde also recorded in the 1920s with Johnny Bayersdorffer
Johnny Bayersdorffer
Johnny Bayersdorffer was a New Orleans jazz cornetist and bandleader.Bayersdorffer was a popular bandleader at the Spanish Fort resort on Bayou St. John by Lake Pontchartrain. He is best remembered to later generations for his 1920s recordings for Okeh Records...
and with the New Orleans Rhythm Kings
New Orleans Rhythm Kings
The New Orleans Rhythm Kings were one of the most influential jazz bands of the early-to-mid 1920s. The band was a combination of New Orleans and Chicago musicians who helped shape Chicago Jazz and influenced many younger jazz musicians....
.
In the 1930s Adde drummed with the Melody Masters, led by Sharkey Bonano
Sharkey Bonano
Joseph "Sharkey" Bonano was a jazz trumpeter, band leader, and vocalist....
and Louis Prima
Louis Prima
Louis Prima was a Sicilian American singer, actor, songwriter, and trumpeter. Prima rode the musical trends of his time, starting with his seven-piece New Orleans style jazz band in the 1920s, then successively leading a swing combo in the 1930s, a big band in the 1940s, a Vegas lounge act in the...
's brother Leon Prima
Leon Prima
Leon Prima was an American jazz trumpeter.Prima was the older brother of the singer Louis Prima, and began on piano before picking up trumpet. He played early in his life with Leon Roppolo, Ray Bauduc, Jack Teagarden, and Peck Kelley...
. He moved with the ensemble to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where they sometimes performed as the New Orleans Melody Masters. Later in the decade he recorded with the New Orleans Owls, and returned to New Orleans before the end of the 1930s.