When I traveled to the Hogan Jazz Archive to explore the history of the New Orleans banjo, Bruce Raeburn greeted me with a hand-written list of every banjo player he’d been able to identify. For those interested in delving into this history, I’ve reproduced the list here as well as several images from the collection. Many of these musicians have folders of clippings, interviews, and recordings available in the collection. Some are very well-known, others remain very obscure. Most of these musicians are described, and many pictured, in the wonderful book by Al Rose and Edmond Souchon, New Orleans Jazz: A Family Album.
For now, working with Bruce Raeburn, we have tried to gather together as many photographs of these players as possible into the gallery below. Our long-term goal as we continue to work will be to fill in as much information about each of these players as possible. Of course if you have information or recollections about any of them to share, please let us know in the comments section!
— Laurent Dubois
George Guesnon (1936). Courtesy Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University.
Johnny Dave (banjo) with Sam Morgan’s Jazz Band. Courtesy Hogan Jazz Archive.
Johnny St. Cyr (banjo) with Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five. Courtesy Hogan Jazz Archive.
Emmanuel Sayles. Courtesy Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University.
Narvin Kimball (banjo) with Celestin’s Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra. Courtesy Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University.
Caffrey Darensbourg (banjo) with Manuel Perez Ban (1923). Courtesy Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University.
Emile “Stalebread” Lacoume (banjo) with the Fischbein-Williams Syncopators at the LaVida Dance Hall (1923). Courtesy Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University.
Willie Santiago (banjo) with Albert Nicholas’ Band at Anderson’s Annex (circa 1923). Courtesy Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University.
Danny Barker (banjo) with Lee Collins (right) and Arthur Derbigny (left). Courtesy of Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University.
William Manuel Johnson (banjo) with King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band (1923). Courtesy Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University.
Charlie Bocage (banjo) with Armand Piron’s New Orleans Orchestra (1923). Courtesy Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University.
Johnny St. Cyr (banjo, far right) and Tom Benton (banjo, center) with Clarence Williams and Armand Piron vaudeville group (circa 1916). Courtesy Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University.
Joseph “Fan” Bourgeau. Courtesy Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University.
Bud Scott (California, 1940s). Courtesy of Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University
Albert French (banjo) with son, Bob (drums). Courtesy of Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University.
Sidney Pflueger (banjo) with the Louisiana Shakers. Courtesy Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University.
Percy Darensbourg with Lee Collins’ Band. Courtesy Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University.
Nappy Lamare (banjo) with Johnny Bayersdorffer’s Band. Courtesy Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University.
Lawrence Marrero. Courtesy Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University.
Johnny St. Cyr (banjo) with Richard M. Jones and Albert Nicholas. Courtesy Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University.
Hello Dan! That is great to hear. I’m hoping to put a bit of material that I have about him up here soon. But would be great to hear your insights. I’ll write an email to you so that we can be in touch. Thanks!
Great site. I also enjoyed the History of the Banjo video on YouTube. Johnny St. Cyr is a favorite of mine. Contrary to belief though, he was not the only banjoist on Louis Armstrong’s Hot Fives and Hot Sevens. At one point Armstrong did a total lineup change and a guy named Mancy Carr was brought in on banjo. I don’t know very much about Carr though, and my personal opinion is that the Hot Fives and Sevens tracks with the best banjo sound are the ones with St. Cyr. He was simply a more inventive banjoist than the staccato, percussive chording of standard Dixieland banjo.
Does anyone have any information on ‘Banjo George’ Baron. An English plectrum banjo player who was a familiar figure in 1950s Soho/London. He once showed me some tricky chord work using a cardboard train ticket.
He eventually moved to the Isle of Lundy, where his address was: Banjo George, Lundy.
I am writing a history of Soho (London) in the 1950s and would love to find out more about Banjo Gerge. He’s pretty elusive. I attach a photo of George. Can anyone identify the banjo he is playing? It loks like a five or six string banjo, although I thought I remember himplaying a 4 string tenor banjo! ny help would be greatly appreciated. You can contact me by email at: storyart@aol.com. Thanks a lot.
Sorry – I can’t seem to attach the photo, but if you want to see it put Banjo George Baron into Google images and you see George seated facing camera with a guitar player in profile on the right of the photo.
Hello, I am researching Clarence Desdunes bio. WOuld you get in touch with me, please?
Cordially, Dan V
Hello Dan! That is great to hear. I’m hoping to put a bit of material that I have about him up here soon. But would be great to hear your insights. I’ll write an email to you so that we can be in touch. Thanks!
Great site. I also enjoyed the History of the Banjo video on YouTube. Johnny St. Cyr is a favorite of mine. Contrary to belief though, he was not the only banjoist on Louis Armstrong’s Hot Fives and Hot Sevens. At one point Armstrong did a total lineup change and a guy named Mancy Carr was brought in on banjo. I don’t know very much about Carr though, and my personal opinion is that the Hot Fives and Sevens tracks with the best banjo sound are the ones with St. Cyr. He was simply a more inventive banjoist than the staccato, percussive chording of standard Dixieland banjo.
Does anyone have information on banjoist Percy Severe/Sevier/Servier.
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hello, I had heavy listen one of forkways record about43 years ago .
that is banjo and steal guitar duo music. like neworlins jazz or blues or
chanson instolmental or song music.
” doctor ” one player name had. do you know that music ?
I think you are remembering Doc Souchon, the “Six and Seven-Eighths String Band”
Does anyone have any information on ‘Banjo George’ Baron. An English plectrum banjo player who was a familiar figure in 1950s Soho/London. He once showed me some tricky chord work using a cardboard train ticket.
He eventually moved to the Isle of Lundy, where his address was: Banjo George, Lundy.
I am writing a history of Soho (London) in the 1950s and would love to find out more about Banjo Gerge. He’s pretty elusive. I attach a photo of George. Can anyone identify the banjo he is playing? It loks like a five or six string banjo, although I thought I remember himplaying a 4 string tenor banjo! ny help would be greatly appreciated. You can contact me by email at: storyart@aol.com. Thanks a lot.
Sorry – I can’t seem to attach the photo, but if you want to see it put Banjo George Baron into Google images and you see George seated facing camera with a guitar player in profile on the right of the photo.
Comprehensive list. Probably an oversight but I don’t see Bill Eastwood ( New Orleans Rhythm Kings et.al. ) listed
Hello Juneteenth Music Entertainment has a upcoming project and we are seeking a banjo player for the Tampa Theater Wake Up America Project