O’Neill Spencer

The story

William "O'Neil" Spencer was a jazz drummer and singer. He is most known for his work in the John Kirby Sextet. According to a Jazz Profiles Blogspot on 8 August 2008 and an interview with legendary jazz drummer Philly Jo Jones, "O'Neil" is credited with the invention of the hi-hat in 1942. Prior to 1942, drummers used a "low-hat". A similar configuration with closing cymbals and foot pedal, but only extending about 12 inches off the ground. The higher position of the cymbals allows a drummer to hit the cymbals in an open or closed position for additional sounds during play. The hi-hat has become standard drumset equipment.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Stories

Beyond the records: books, other lives and interviews.

Watch

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Bands and projects

• Mills Blue Rhythm Band
• The Spencer Trio
• John Kirby and His Onyx Club Boys
• John Kirby Sextet
• Jack Sneed & His Sneezers
• Buster Bailey and His Rhythm Busters
• John Kirby And His Orchestra
• Baron Lee And The Blue Rhythm Band
• The Harlem Blues Serenaders
• Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Band
• Mildred Bailey And Her Orchestra
• Henry "Red" Allen And His Orchestra
• Buster Bailey's Rhythm Busters
• Milt Herth Quartet
• Jimmie Noone And His Orchestra
• Jerry Kruger & Her Knights Of Rhythm
• Johnny Dodds And His Chicago Boys
• Sam Price And His Texas Blusicians
• Milt Herth Trio

The bands O’Neill Spencer played in, each with its own records. From MusicBrainz and Discogs.

Also plays on

Records by other artists with O’Neill Spencer in the credits, from the song and record credits of MusicBrainz and Discogs. Their own bands are above.

Playlists with O’Neill Spencer in them: Sonic Architects selections and Pause & Record tapes from linr listeners, Deezer’s editors and curators, radio shows on Mixcloud and ListenBrainz playlists. Every tile opens on linr first, with the original one link away.

If you like O’Neill Spencer

• The Ink Spots2 sources agree
• Mezz Mezzrow2 sources agree
• Casa Loma Orchestravia Mills Blue Rhythm Band
• Lucky Millindervia Mills Blue Rhythm Band
• The Cats and the Fiddlevia Mills Blue Rhythm Band
• Erskine Hawkinsvia Mills Blue Rhythm Band
• Teddy Wilson & His Orchestravia The Spencer Trio
• Larry Clintonvia Mills Blue Rhythm Band
• Don Redmanvia Mills Blue Rhythm Band
• Washboard Rhythm Kingsvia The Spencer Trio
• Glen Grayvia Mills Blue Rhythm Band
• Andy Kirkvia Mills Blue Rhythm Band

Where the listeners of ListenBrainz, Last.fm and Deezer agree, with the circle of O’Neill Spencer’s own bands. A source that names other people with the same name is left out.