Ed Anderson

[EKE BBB]

Does anybody know the death date of trumpeter Ed(ward) [Andy] Anderson, who recorded with Clarence Williams (1927-29), Jelly Roll Morton (1927-28), King Oliver (1928), Mills Blue Rhythm Band (1931-34) and Joe Sullivan (c.1940), and was also associated with Benny Carter, Charlie Johnson, Bingie Madison, Charlie Turner's Arcadians, Hazel Scott (1939) and Frankie Newton (1941)? Source of this information is much appreciated.

Neither the Gitler/Feather biographial encyclopedia nor The New Grove (2001 edition) mention it.

Thanks in advance,

Agustín

[Ted O'Reilly]

Does anybody know the death date of trumpeter Ed(ward) [Andy] Anderson, who recorded with Clarence Williams (1927-29), Jelly Roll Morton (1927-28), King Oliver (1928), Mills Blue Rhythm Band (1931-34) and Joe Sullivan (c.1940), and was also associated with Benny Carter, Charlie Johnson, Bingie Madison, Charlie Turner's Arcadians, Hazel Scott (1939) and Frankie Newton (1941)? Source of this information is much appreciated.

Neither the Gitler/Feather biographial encyclopedia nor The New Grove (2001 edition) mention it.

Thanks in advance,

Agustín

The only reference book I have that mentions him is John Chilton's Who's Who of Jazz, a 1970 publication, and he's alive at that time, saying "...ceased playing several years ago, but continues to live in New York City". Born July 1, 1910 in Jacksonville, Florida -- maybe he's having his 100th birthday in a few weeks!

[jazztrain]

I found the same reference in Chilton. Some other later publications reference Chilton.

I checked the social security death index last night but couldn't find Anderson. That could mean that he's still alive. On the other hand, it could also mean that the birthdate provided by Chilton is wrong. Or that he never had a social security card.

I have another periodical that I may check tonight to see if there's any other information about him. if I find anything, I'll check back in.

[jeffcrom]

Just wanted to let you know that I've been on the case, too - with no better luck than anyone else.

[Ted O'Reilly]

I found the same reference in Chilton. Some other later publications reference Chilton.

I checked the social security death index last night but couldn't find Anderson. That could mean that he's still alive. On the other hand, it could also mean that the birthdate provided by Chilton is wrong. Or that he never had a social security card.

I have another periodical that I may check tonight to see if there's any other information about him. if I find anything, I'll check back in.

You may be right that he didn't have a social security card...I heard once from a friend of Vic Dickenson's that Vic didn't have one, thinking it was a way 'They' could find him and make him pay taxes.

[EKE BBB]

Thanks for the interest. Will report back if I have any news.

[AllenLowe]

actually the Social Security death index is missing people WITH social security numbers, for some unknown reason. My mother, who died in 1988 and who definitely had a number, is not in there.

[jazztrain]

I found an Edith Anderson in the SSDI who was born on the day and year cited by Chilton. However, unless Ed had a significant life changing experience, that's not him.

actually the Social Security death index is missing people WITH social security numbers, for some unknown reason. My mother, who died in 1988 and who definitely had a number, is not in there.

[jazztrain]

OK, I think the mystery has been solved. Some additional searching led to the following: Answers.com

and to: Wikipedia

Admittedly, these are not always reliable sources but sometimes better than nothing. Both give a different date and location of birth (December 15, 1897 in Nashville, Tennessee) than Chilton. They also give a death date of January 28, 1974 in New York City.

It's disturbing that both mention there being two jazz trumpeters with this name, raising the possibility of some sources confusing one with the other. By the way, who's the other one? Presumably not Red Allen (although Clarence Williams on one of his sides does appear to refer to Ed Allen as "Red"). In any case, the reference to Allen having toured and recorded in the 1950s with Chris Barber led to this:

Jazz Journal

If you scroll down to near the bottom of the Chris Barber review of the album "Candy Lips" you'll find a discussion of Ed Allen. Here are two excerpts:

>>>

Eddie Allen said he used to room with Clarence Williams at the time this was made and Clarence would say one morning, “Come on Eddie, we're going to record.” “What are we going to do?” asked Eddie. “Oh, I don't know,” answered Clarence, “we'll write something on the way to the studio.” By the next day even the names of the tunes they recorded would have been forgotten. Ed Allen doesn't know a single one of the tunes he recorded in those days! On the session I supervised, we had the amusing spectacle of Cecil Scott teaching Eddie Allen “Royal Garden Blues”.

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Ed Allen still plays fine trumpet. He's been working for the past fifteen years in a taxi-dance hall on 14th Street in Harlem. Six hours a night, ten minutes off each hour. Each dance lasts 45 seconds and costs the customers a quarter. No women allowed in the hall, except the hostesses. Ed is another great person.

>>>

So, there seems to be a connection between the Ed Allen who recorded with Clarence Williams and the one who toured with Chris Barber and apparently died in 1974.

OK. Here's some more that's even better:

Cecil Scott LP liner notes

Scroll down to the liner notes for Harlem Washboard. Here are two excerpts:

>>>

However, I had already found three members of his original washboard band in New York, Cecil Scott, Eddie Allen and Floyd Casey, and I was able to leave the date in the capable hands of clarinettist Cecil Scott. He found a fine pianist, Don Frye, in place of Clarence, and a very skilful bassist, Leonard Gaskin, who plays on this session in place of tuba player Cyrus St. Clair, who died some years ago.

>>>

>>>

THE MUSICIANS — Thumbnailed by BRIAN RUST:

.

.

.

ED ALLEN: Born in Nashville, Tennessee, December 15, 1897. Raised in St. Louis; took up cornet in 1907; professional debut, 1914. Moved to Chicago, 1924, and the following year to New York, where he worked with Clarence Williams on many record dates and with Leroy Tibbs's orchestra. Freelanced during the 'thirties and has played a taxi-dance hall in New York, on 14th Street, since 1945. One of the great unrecognised men of jazz, possessed of a splendid tone, both open and muted.

>>>

So, courtesy of Brian Rust, we appear to have confirmation of the December 15, 1897 birth in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Social Security Death Index does have a listing for an Edward Allen born on December 15, 1897 who died in January 1974 with a last known residence in the Bronx. Seems to fit.

I've found a picture on line of Ed Allen's Whispering Band of Gold from 1920. I don't remember how to post an image here, so I'll post a link to a website where it can be viewed:

Ed Allen's Whispering Band of Gold

Here's the corresponding caption: Capitol Ed Allen's Whispering Band of Gold, 1920. Left to right: Harvey Lankford, trombone; Floyd Casey (standing), drums; Sidney Desvigne, cornet; Ed Allen, cornet; John St Cyr, banjo; Isaac Jefferson, piano (standing); Walter (Foots) Thomas, sax; Norman Mason, sax; George (Pops) Foster, tuba & bass; Eugene Sedric, singer (tenor). Photo taken on the steamboat Capitol, 1920. Credit: Duncan P. Schiedt collection.

[Ted O'Reilly]

Ed Allen? What happened to Ed Anderson? Wasn't he the topic?

[jazztrain]

Oops. Never mind. Clearly doing too many things at once.

In case anyone was wondering about what happened to Ed Allen, file it away. Back to the drawing board.