Eddie South
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Eddie South | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Edward Otha South November 27, 1904 Louisiana, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | April 25, 1962 (aged 57) |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Violin |
Edward Otha South (November 27, 1904 – April 25, 1962)[1] was an American jazz violinist.
Born in Louisiana, Missouri, South studied classical music in Budapest, Paris, and Chicago. He turned to jazz because, as a Black musician, there was no room for him in classical music.[2] In the 1920s he was a member of jazz orchestras led by Charlie Elgar, Erskine Tate, and Jimmy Wade.[2][3] From 1928 to 1930, he was touring in Europe with his band, Eddie South's Alabamians,[4] with whom he had already made several records.[5] He recorded during this tour as well. During this tour, the Alabamians had an extended stay in Venice, in 1928, at the Luna Hotel.[6]
He led a band in the early 1930s that included Milt Hinton and Everett Barksdale.[2] In 1937 he recorded in Paris with Stephane Grappelli, Django Reinhardt, and Michel Warlop.[2] In 1945 he worked for the studio band at WMGM in New York City.[2] During the 1950s, he was a guest on television with Fran Allison and Dave Garroway and on WGN in Chicago.[2]
On September 2, 2020, The New York Times consulted violinist Mazz Swift, who selected Eddie South's performance of "Black Gypsy" for a feature on "5 Minutes That Will Make You Love the Violin."[7]
Discography
- 1923-37 - The Chronological (Classics 707, ?)
- 1937-41 - The Chronological (Classics 737, ?)
- 1944 - The Dark Angel of the Fiddle (Trip/Soundies, ?)
- 1940-47 - Broadcasts, Film and Fugitive (AB Fable, 2005)
- 1940-46 - Dark Angel Album Sets (AB Fable, 2008) (Columbia, PIloton and Gold Seal recordings)
- 1953 - South Side Jazz (Chess, 1971)
- 1958 - The Distinguished Violin of Eddie South (Mercury,1959)
- 1959 - Music for the Birds (Wing, 1962) With Mike Simpson
