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* Jul 24, 1884 New Orleans, La.
† Aug ?? 1972
As a brass band musician he played with:
He played and was a favorite of Joe "King"
Oliver in pre-World War I years in Storyville.
Part of an interview send by the Tulane Hogan Jazz Archive, to Keila Dawson,
who Eddie was her Great Uncle, and who send it to me:
Eddie Dawson (1884-1972) who was a jazz musician (guitar, banjo & bass) at the
turn of the 19th century in New Orleans. Like many musicians from that era HE
takes credit for 'slapping' that 4/4 rhythm that became 'jazz'. My uncle said
the word was first used in 1904 when he was playing on Basin and Iberville at
Harry Parker's. He talks about all the bands and places he played at, the type
of music played by certain bands, march, ragtime, Dixieland, etc and who
provided 'protection' when they played at clubs politicians owned when 'brass'
instruments were outlawed. Bands were invited to play outside of Louisiana, and
some were offered jobs so left, while others didn't want to leave.
In a couple interviews there were others present who also contributed. He played
with lots of people, Willie Humphrey,
George Baquet, John Robichaux,
Joe Oliver, Sidney Bechet, Louis
Keppard, Jimmy Palao (violin),
Manuel Perez (trumpet), Jean Vignes
(drums), Foster brothers, 'Pop' & Willie. He also talks about Louis Armstrong
and the others who left New Orleans. Talked about who were 'readers' and said
Armstrong didn't really know how to 'read' but learned when he got to Chicago.
Got some personal info like his first wife died and he remarried, Eddie was to
ship out for WW1 on the same day peace was declared, and his father fought in
the Spanish-American War of 1898.
Source: Keila Dawson, thank you very much.
Sources
(internet):
Sources (brassband
history):
16 New
Orleans Jazz, family album by Al Rose and Edmond Souchon
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Article
in Times Picayune 1967