Wilson Myers
Encyclopedia
Ernest Wilson "Serious" Myers (October 7, 1906 – March 25, 1991) was an American jazz
double-bassist, best known for his contributions to New Orleans jazz
.
Myers was born in Pennsylvania
but began his professional career in the American South. He played drums with Bessie Smith
in the middle of the 1920s, and also played guitar and banjo professionally in addition to bass. He played bass first with King Oliver, then with the Bechet
-Ladnier New Orleans Footwarmers. In the 1930s he played in Europe in the bands of Lucky Millinder
and Willie Lewis
, and upon his return played in New York City
and Philadelphia with Sidney Bechet
and Mezz Mezzrow
. He worked with the Spirits of Rhythm
both in the 1930s and 1940s, and in the latter decade played with Jimmy Dorsey
, Bob Mosley
, Tiger Haynes
, Rex Stewart
, and Duke Ellington
for a short time. He worked locally in Philadelphia into the 1970s, playing music in addition to working as a preacher
.
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...
double-bassist, best known for his contributions to New Orleans jazz
New Orleans Jazz
New Orleans Jazz may refer to:*Dixieland, a style of jazz music*New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park*Utah Jazz, a professional National Basketball Association franchise that was previously based in New Orleans and known as the New Orleans Jazz, in recognition of the jazz music of New Orleans*A...
.
Myers was born in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
but began his professional career in the American South. He played drums with Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith was an American blues singer.Sometimes referred to as The Empress of the Blues, Smith was the most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s...
in the middle of the 1920s, and also played guitar and banjo professionally in addition to bass. He played bass first with King Oliver, then with the 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...
-Ladnier New Orleans Footwarmers. In the 1930s he played in Europe in the bands of Lucky Millinder
Lucky Millinder
Lucius Venable "Lucky" Millinder was an American rhythm and blues and swing bandleader. Although he could not read or write music, did not play an instrument and rarely sang, his showmanship and musical taste made his bands successful...
and Willie Lewis
Willie Lewis
Willie Lewis is a rockabilly recording artist and founder of The Rock-A-Billy Record Company, a record label based in Denver, Colorado. He started the label in order to release rare and authentic rockabilly recordings, most of which were pressed on colored vinyl between 1982 and 1998...
, and upon his return played in 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...
and Philadelphia with 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...
and Mezz Mezzrow
Mezz Mezzrow
Milton Mesirow, better known as Mezz Mezzrow was an American jazz clarinetist and saxophonist from Chicago, Illinois. Mezzrow is well known for organizing and financing historic recording sessions with Tommy Ladnier and Sidney Bechet. Mezzrow also recorded a number of times with Bechet and...
. He worked with the Spirits of Rhythm
Spirits of Rhythm
Spirits of Rhythm were an American jazz string band.The ensemble's members had previously played under several other names , and upon adding Teddy Bunn as guitarist in 1932, the group began calling itself Spirits of Rhythm...
both in the 1930s and 1940s, and in the latter decade played with Jimmy Dorsey
Jimmy Dorsey
James "Jimmy" Dorsey was a prominent American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, trumpeter, composer, and big band leader. He was known as "JD"...
, Bob Mosley
Bob Mosley
Bob Mosley is principally known as the bass player and one of the songwriters and vocalists for the band Moby Grape. He has also developed a career as a solo artist. Three of his best known songs with Moby Grape are "Mr...
, Tiger Haynes
Tiger Haynes
Tiger Haynes was an American actor and musical performer. .He was born as George Haynes in Frederiksted, St. Croix, and moved to New York when he was a boy...
, Rex Stewart
Rex Stewart
Rex Stewart was an American jazz cornetist best known for his work with the Duke Ellington orchestra....
, and Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
for a short time. He worked locally in Philadelphia into the 1970s, playing music in addition to working as a preacher
Preacher
Preacher is a term for someone who preaches sermons or gives homilies. A preacher is distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined...
.