Wilson Myers

Wilson "Serious" Myers (born Ernest Wilson Myers[1] or Wilson Ernestine Myers,[2] October 2, 1906 – July 10, 1992)[2] was an American jazz double-bassist, vocalist, bandleader and arranger, best known for his contributions to New Orleans jazz.

Biography

Myers was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania.[2] He began his professional career in the American South, gaining his nickname "Serious" for his love of classical music.[1] He played drums with Bessie Smith in the mid-1920s, and also played guitar and banjo professionally. He first played bass with King Oliver, then with the Bechet-Ladnier New Orleans Footwarmers. In the 1930s he played in Europe in the bands of Django Reinhardt, Lucky Millinder, and Willie Lewis. On his return he played in New York City and Philadelphia with Sidney Bechet and Mezz Mezzrow, as well as leading his own band and contributing arrangements.[1] One of his key recordings, as bassist and vocalist, was "Preachin' Blues", first recorded with Bechet's New Orleans Footwarmers in 1940, and described as a precursor of rhythm and blues music.[3] He also worked with the Spirits of Rhythm in the 1930s and 1940s, and in the latter decade played with Jimmy Dorsey, Bob Mosley, Tiger Haynes, Rex Stewart, and for a short time with Duke Ellington.[1]

He worked locally in Philadelphia into the 1970s, playing music in addition to working as a preacher.[1] He died in Philadelphia in 1992.[2]

References
  1. Biography by Eugene Chadbourne, Allmusic.com. Retrieved 12 November 2016
  2. Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013). Blues - A Regional Experience. Santa Barbara: Praeger Publishers. p. 333. ISBN 978-0313344237.
  3. "Wilson Myers", The Musicologist. Retrieved 12 November 2016
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