Putney Dandridge

Louis " Putney " Dandridge ( born January 13, 1902 in Richmond, Virginia; † February 15, 1946 in Wall Township, New Jersey) was an American vaudeville and jazz pianist, bandleader and singer.

Biography

Putney Dandridge began his career in 1918 as a pianist in a revue called The Drake and Walker Show. In 1930 he worked occasionally as a companion of the legendary tap dancer Bill " Bojangles " Robinson and appeared in the musical Brown Buddies.

After touring through the states of Illinois and the Great Lakes to Dandridge settled in Cleveland, Ohio, formed there own band, in which, inter alia, the guitarist Lonnie Johnson participated. This period lasted until 1934, when he was given the opportunity to solo performances. With the show, he came to New York City, where he performed a long time in the Hickory House, one of the legendary jazz clubs of the 52nd Street and other clubs. From 1935 to 1936 he made ​​several records on his own for Vocalion, where musicians such as Roy Eldridge, Teddy Wilson, Henry " Red" Allen, Buster Bailey, John Kirby, Chu Berry, Cozy Cole and others participated. Last pictures were taken in December 1936 with Doc Cheatham and Bobby Stark. In the late 1930s Dandridge disappeared from the music scene; It is speculated whether disease forced him to retreat. He died at the age of 44 in Wall Township, New Jersey.

Disco Graphical Notes

• Putney Dandridge 1935-1936 ( Classics )
• Putney Dandridge in 1936 ( Classics )