HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Drummer Sonny Greer With and Without The Duke

Birth of Swing Jazz: Sonny Greer

Sonny Greer

Most likely born on 13 December 1895 in Long Branch, New Jersey, drummer Sonny Greer's star doesn't shine as bright these days as some of his contemporaries, but a quarter century of daily steady consistency with Duke Ellington made him a major contributor to swing jazz with an extensive scroll of sessions (589 with and without The Duke traced by Lord). Find below several sessions with Ellington, though since he is documented elsewhere in the HMR Project with The Duke we here focus more on what he did otherwise during his latter career.

Greer began his career playing with both banjoist, Elmer Snowden, and the Howard Theatre Orchestra. It was 1919 when he met Ellington, the two becoming close friends. He would be a member of Ellington's operation from 1924 to 1951. It was with Ellington's Washingtonians that Greer made his first recording in Ellington's employ in November of 1924 for the Blu-Disc label: 'Choo Choo' and 'Rainy Nights' (Blu-Disc T1002). That was Ellington's initial session leading his own band.

'Choo Choo' Duke Ellington w the Washingtonians

From Ellington's first session as a leader

Recorded Nov 1924 in NYC Matrix T2005-2 Blue Disc T1002

Trumpet: Bubber Miley Trombone: Charlie Irvis Alto sax: Otto Hardwick

Banjo: George Francis Drums: Sonny Greer

Composition: Bob Schafer / Dave Ringle / Ellington

'Rainy Nights' Duke Ellington w the Washingtonians

From Ellington's first session as a leader

Recorded Nov 1924 in NYC Matrix T2006-2 Blue Disc T1002

Trumpet: Bubber Miley Trombone: Charlie Irvis Alto sax: Otto Hardwick

Banjo: George Francis Drums: Sonny Greer

Composition: Jo Trent / Vincent Lopez / Will Donaldson

It was also November of 1924 when Ellington backed Greer's first session as a leader with his Deacons on 'Oh! How I Love My Darling' for Blu-Disc:

'Oh How I Love My Darling' Sonny Greer & the Deacons

Recorded Nov 1924 in NYC Blu-Disc T1003

C melody sax / baritone sax: Otto Hardwick Piano: Duke Ellington

Banjo: George Francis Drums / vocal: Sonny Greer

Composition: Harry Woods / Edgar Leslie

Among Greer's many long-time compatriots within the Ellington operation was Johnny Hodges, they first recording together in The Duke's orchestra on 1 October 1928 toward 'The Mooche' (Okeh 8623), 'Move Over' (Okeh 8638) and 'Hot and Bothered' (Okeh 8623). Since Hodges remained with Ellington for decades to come until his (Hodges') death in 1970, he is found with Greer on hundreds of recordings. In the meantime, while with the Ellington organization Greer formed his Memphis Men with which he put away some titles in 1929.

'The Mooche' Duke Ellington w His Orchestra

Greer's first known recording w Johnny Hodges

Recorded 1 Oct 1928 Okeh 8623

Trumpet: Arthur Whetsol / Bubber Miley / Louis Metcalf Trombone: Joe Nanton

Clarinet: Barney Bigard Tenor sax: Johnny Hodges Baritone sax: Harry Carney

Guitar: Lonnie Johnson Banjo: Fred Guy

String bass: Wellman Braud Drums: Sonny Greer

Composition: Ellington / Irving Mills

'Beggars Blues' Sonny Greer & His Memphis Men

Recorded 28 May 1929 in NYC Matrix 148641-3 Columbia 1868-D

Trumpet: Arthur Whetsel / Freddy Jenkins Trombone: Joe Nanton

Clarinet: Barney Bigard / Harry Carney Baritone sax: Harry Carney

Piano: Duke Ellington Banjo: Fred Guy

String bass: Wellman Braud Drums: Sonny Greer

Composition: Barney Bigard / Johnny Hodges

'Saturday Night Function' Sonny Greer & His Memphis Men

Recorded 28 May 1929 in NYC Matrix 148642-1 Columbia 1868-D

Trumpet: Arthur Whetsel / Freddy Jenkins Trombone: Joe Nanton

Clarinet: Barney Bigard / Harry Carney

Alto sax: Johnny Hodges Baritone sax: Harry Carney

Piano: Duke Ellington Banjo: Fred Guy

String bass: Wellman Braud Drums: Sonny Greer

Composition: Barney Bigard / Duke Ellington

During the early swing years of the thirties and throughout the forties Greer was constant sideman to The Duke, over which decades we pass until Greer formed his Rextet (aka Duke's Men) in 1944 to record some titles with cornetist, Rex Stewart. Come The Duke's Men in 1945 when they put up 'Mood Indigo', 'Bug in a Rug', 'The Mooche' and 'Kandy Lamb'.

'Kansas City Caboose' Sonny Greer & His Rextet

Recorded 16 May 1944 in NYC Apollo 354

Cornet: Rex Stewart Trombone: Lawrence Brown

Clarinet / tenor sax: Jimmy Hamilton Baritone sax: Harry Carney

Piano: Marlowe Morris Guitar: Teddy Walters

String bass: Oscar Pettiford Drums: Sonny Greer

Composition: Margie Stewart Arrangement: Brick Fleagle

'Bug in a Rug' Sonny Greer & His Dukes' Men

Recorded 24 Feb 1945 in NYC Capitol 48013

Trumpet: Taft Jordan

Clarinet: Barney Bigard Alto sax: Otto Hardwick

Piano: Emmanuel Brooks Guitar: Fred Guy

String bass: Red Callender Drums: Sonny Greer

Composition: Al Hoffman / Al Goodhart / Ed Nelson

'Jumpin' Punkins' Duke Ellington w His Orchestra

Capitol radio transcription of 9 June 1947

Issue: 'Duke Ellington: The Radio Transcriptions: Volume 5' / London Records HMP 5037 / 1978

Trumpet: Taft Jordan / Shelton Hemphill / Francis Williams /Harold Baker / Wilbur Bascomb

Trumpet / violin ?: Ray Nance Trombone: Lawrence Brown / Claude Jones / Wilbur DeParis

Reeds (clarinet or sax): Jimmy Hamilton / Russell Procope / Johnny Hodges / Al Sears / Harry Carney

Piano: Duke Ellington Guitar: Fred Guy

String bass: Oscar Pettiford Drums: Sonny Greer

Composition: Ellington / Irving Mills

On 15 January 1951 Greer contributed to titles by Hodges and His Orchestra with trumpeter, Nelson Williams:

'You Blew Out the Flame in My Heart' Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra

15 Jan 1951 in NYC Clef 8937

Trumpet: Nelson Williams Trombone: Lawrence Brown

Alto sax: Johnny Hodges Tenor sax: Al Sears

Piano: Billy Strayhorn Guitar: Fred Guy

String bass: Al McKibbon Drums: Sonny Greer

Composition: Johnny Hodges

It was a dispute with Ellington that ended Greer's quarter of a century with The Duke's organization, said to be due to Greer's heavy drinking and increasing undependability. Ellington had hired drummer, Butch Ballard, to take Greer's place when Greer was indisposed, which Greer found to be a disagreeable threat to a long-established position. Tom Lord's discography shows Greer's last session with Ellington as of January 21, 1951, at the Metropolitan Opera House in NYC, though they would record together on occasions in the future:

Live at the Metropolitan Opera House Duke Ellington w His Orchestra

Greer's last session before leaving Ellington's band after a quarter century

21 Jan 1951 in NYC

Issue: 'Duke Ellington: 1951' / Vee Jay Records RJL-2638(M) / 1983

Trumpet: Taft Jordan / Shelton Hemphill / Francis Williams /Harold Baker / Wilbur Bascomb

Trumpet / violin / vocal: Ray Nance Trombone: Lawrence Brown / Quentin Jackson

Reeds (clarinet or sax): Jimmy Hamilton / Russell Procope / Harry Carney

Alto sax: Johnny Hodges Tenor sax: Paul Gonsalves

Piano: Duke Ellington String bass: Wendell Marshall / Joe Benjamin

Drums: Sonny Greer Vocals: Al Hibbler / Yvonne Lanauze

Greer freelanced after Ellington, also appearing in films, and briefly led his own band. In March of 1951 he supported titles on Hodges' albums 'Memories of Ellington' issued in 1954 and 'Castle Rock' issued in 1955. In September of 1955 Greer participated in Johnny Hodges' 'Creamy'. All three of those were produced and supervised by Norman Granz.

'Sophisticated Lady' Johnny Hodges

3 March 1951 produced and supervised by Norman Granz

Issue: 'Memories of Ellington' 1954

Trumpet: Emmett Berry Trombone: Lawrence Brown

Alto sax: Johnny Hodges Tenor sax: Al Sears

Piano: Leroy Lovett String bass: Lloyd Trotman Drums: Sonny Greer

Composition: Duke Ellington

'Creamy' Johnny Hodges Album

8 Sep 1955 in NYC produced and supervised by Norman Granz

Issue: Norgran Records MG N-1045 / 1955

Trumpet: Clark Terry Trombone: Lawrence Brown

Clarinet / tenor sax: Jimmy Hamilton Alto sax: Johnny Hodges Baritone sax: Harry Carney

Piano: Jimmy Woode Drums: Sonny Greer

Greer supported Norene Tate's album, 'Tenderly', in New York City in early 1957 issued on Elektra Jazz 113:

'Tenderly' Norene Tate

Early 1957 in NYC Album: 'Tenderly' on Elektra Jazz 113 / 1957

Piano: Isaac Royal String bass: Al Hall Drums: Sonny Greer

Music: Walter Gross 1946 Lyrics: Jack Lawrence

Come 'Rex Stewart & The Ellington Alumni All Stars' recorded at the Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode island on 4 July 4 1958 before several sessions of 'Art Ford's Jazz Party' in New York City the same year. 'Jumpin' with Symphony Sid' below was composed by Lester Young addressing disc jockey Sid Torin (1909-1984) credited with early promotion of bebop. Greer returned to the Ellington Orchestra in May of 1961 toward the soundtrack, 'Paris Blues'.

'Mean to Me' & 'Jumpin' with Symphony Sid' Sonny Greer Television

'Art Ford Jazz Party' of 25 Sep 1958 in NYC

Trumpet: Charlie Shavers Trombone: J.C. Higginbotham

Clarinet: Pee Wee Russell Tenor sax: Coleman Hawkins / Lester Young

Vibes: Harry Sheppard Piano: Willie Lion Smith Guitar: Dickie Thompson

String bass: Vinnie Burke Drums: Sonny Greer / George Wettling

'Mean to Me' music by Fred E. Ahlert 1929 Lyrics: Roy Turk

'Jumpin' with Symphony Sid' composed by Lester Young 1946

'Paris Blues' Duke Ellington w His Orchestra Soundtrack

Recorded 2-3 May 1961 featuring Louis Armstrong

Trumpet: Cat Anderson / Harold Baker / Ed Mullens / Willie Cook / Ray Nance

Trombone: Britt Woodman / Lawrence Brown / Louis Blackburn / Murray McEachern

Valve trombone: Juan Tizol Oboe: Harry Smiles

Alto sax: Johnny Hodges / Oliver Nelson Tenor sax: Paul Gonsalves

Other reeds: Russell Procope / Jimmy Hamilton / Arthur Clark / Harry Carney

Oboe: Harry Smiles Flute/ guitar: Les Spann Piano: Duke Ellington

Drums: Jimmy Johnson / Sonny Greer / Max Roach / Dave Jackson / Philly Joe Jones

Conducted by Lawrence Brown

In October of 1961 Greer contributed to 'High in the Basement by the Bernard Addison All Stars'. Lord has him recording with The Duke one last time in New York City on 29 March 1962 toward 'Circle Blues' (aka 'A Blues' or 'Jam on C') later issued on CD as Saja 7-91231-2.

'Circle Blues' Duke Ellington w His Orchestra

Greer's last known recording w The Duke

Recorded 29 March 1962 in NYC

See 'The Private Collection: Volume Seven: Studio Sessions 1957 & 1962' on Saja 7-91231-2

Composition: Duke Ellington

Come Victoria Spivey's album 'The Queen and Her Knights' in 1965 followed by Earl Hines' 'Once Upon a Time' in 1966 which was Greer's last known session with Hodges. The next year he contributed to Earl Hines' 'Once Upon a Time':

'Now He's Gone' Victoria Spivey

Recorded 12 April 1965 in NYC From the Spivey album 'The Queen and Her Knights'

Piano: Little Brother Montgomery Guitar: Lonnie Johnson Drums: Sonny Greer

Composition: Victoria Spivey?

'Black and Tan Fantasy' Earl Hines

Recorded 10 Jan 1966 in NYC From the Hines album 'Once Upon a Time'

Trumpet: Cat Anderson / Ray Nance Trombone: Lawrence Brown

Clarinet: Pee Wee Russell

Alto sax: Johnny Hodges / Russell Procope

Tenor sax: Jimmy Hamilton / Paul Gonsalves / Harold Ashby

Guitar: Lonnie Johnson Drums: Sonny Greer

Piano: Earl Hines String bass: Aaron Bell Drums: Sonny Greer

Composition: Duke Ellington / Bubber Miley 1927

Greer recorded 'Soda Fountain Rag: The Music of Duke Ellington' with pianist, Brooks Kerr, in 1975. 'Brooks Kerr Salutes Irving Berlin' and 'Brooks Kerr Salutes Fats Waller' followed in 1981.