Papa John Joseph
Encyclopedia
Papa John Joseph was an early New Orleans jazz
string bass player.
Joseph was born in St. James Parish, Louisiana and moved to New Orleans by 1906.
He played with Buddy Bolden
early on. Somewhat later he played in the Claiborne Williams
band and the Original Tuxedo Orchestra.
For years in mid life he worked professionally as a barber
playing music occasionally on the side. He returned to music full time in his later years. He was a regular at Preservation Hall
until he famously dropped dead there after finishing a rousing version of When the Saints Go Marching In
.
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...
string bass player.
Joseph was born in St. James Parish, Louisiana and moved to New Orleans by 1906.
He played with Buddy Bolden
Buddy Bolden
Charles "Buddy" Bolden was an African American cornetist and is regarded by contemporaries as a key figure in the development of a New Orleans style of rag-time music which later came to be known as jazz.- Life :...
early on. Somewhat later he played in the Claiborne Williams
Claiborne Williams
Claiborne Williams was an American musician, bandleader, and music teacher.-Life and career:...
band and the Original Tuxedo Orchestra.
For years in mid life he worked professionally as a barber
Barber
A barber is someone whose occupation is to cut any type of hair, and to shave or trim the beards of men. The place of work of a barber is generally called a barbershop....
playing music occasionally on the side. He returned to music full time in his later years. He was a regular at Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall is a noted jazz performance hall located at 726 St. Peter Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. It hosts nightly concerts featuring a rotating roster of bands. The bands of Preservation Hall typically perform jazz in the New Orleans style.Despite the fame of the...
until he famously dropped dead there after finishing a rousing version of When the Saints Go Marching In
When the Saints Go Marching In
"When the Saints Go Marching In", often referred to as "The Saints", is an American gospel hymn that has taken on certain aspects of folk music. The precise origins of the song are not known. Though it originated as a spiritual, today people are more likely to hear it played by a jazz band...
.