Lee L. Blair

Lee L. Blair (October 10, 1903, Savannah, Georgia – October 15, 1966, New York City) was an American jazz banjoist and guitarist.

Blair was a left-handed autodidact on banjo, aside from a few lessons taken from Mike Pingitore, the banjoist for Paul Whiteman. He played and recorded in NYC with Thomas Morris's Seven Hot Babies in 1926, played with Charlie Skeete in 1926-28, then played and recorded with Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers in 1928-30. He played with Billy Kato in 1930-31, then played and recorded with Luis Russell (1934–35) and Louis Armstrong (1935-40). He worked part-time in music through the 1940s, then joined Wilbur De Paris's New New Orleans Jazz Band in the 1950s at Jimmy Ryan's Club on West 52nd Street in New York City. In the summer of 1957 he toured in Africa with the DeParis band for the State Department. In the 1960s he played less, concentrating on raising chickens on his farm in Belmore, Long Island, but appeared at the 1964 World's Fair in a trio with Danny Barker and Eddie Gibbs and freelanced around New York with Hank Duncan and others until he died. He never recorded as a leader, but appears on record with Morris, Morton, Russell, Armstrong, and De Paris, as well as with Dick Cary, Pee Wee Erwin, and Leonard Gaskin among others. He is honored in the jazz section of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon, GA.

Birth and Death Data: Born October 10, 1903 (Savannah), Died October 15, 1966 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1926 - 1940

Roles Represented in DAHR: guitar, banjo

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-35762 10-in. 7/13/1926 Lazy drag Thomas Morris ; Morris' Hot Babies Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Victor BVE-35763 10-in. 7/13/1926 Jackass blues Thomas Morris ; Morris' Hot Babies Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Victor BVE-35764 10-in. 7/13/1926 Charleston stampede Thomas Morris ; Morris' Hot Babies Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Victor BVE-36047 10-in. 8/17/1926 Georgia grind Thomas Morris ; Morris' Hot Babies Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, banjo  
Victor BVE-36048 10-in. 8/17/1926 Ham gravy Thomas Morris ; Morris' Hot Babies Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Victor BVE-45619 10-in. 6/11/1928 Georgia swing Jelly Roll Morton ; Red Hot Peppers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Victor BVE-45620 10-in. 6/11/1928 Kansas City stomps Jelly Roll Morton ; Red Hot Peppers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Victor BVE-45621 10-in. 6/11/1928 Shoe shiner's drag Jelly Roll Morton ; Red Hot Peppers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Victor BVE-45622 10-in. 6/11/1928 Boogaboo Jelly Roll Morton ; Red Hot Peppers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Victor BVE-45626 10-in. 6/11/1928 Sidewalk blues Jelly Roll Morton ; Red Hot Peppers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Victor BVE-48433 10-in. 12/6/1928 Everybody loves my honey now Jelly Roll Morton ; Red Hot Peppers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-48434 10-in. 12/6/1928 Red hot pepper Jelly Roll Morton ; Red Hot Peppers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-48435 10-in. 12/6/1928 Deep creek Jelly Roll Morton ; Red Hot Peppers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-48436 10-in. 12/6/1928 You oughter see my gal Jelly Roll Morton ; Red Hot Peppers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-62182 10-in. 6/2/1930 Oil well Jelly Roll Morton ; Red Hot Peppers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Victor BVE-62183 10-in. 6/2/1930 Load of coal Jelly Roll Morton ; Red Hot Peppers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Victor BVE-62184 10-in. 6/2/1930 Crazy chords Jelly Roll Morton ; Red Hot Peppers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Victor BVE-62185 10-in. 6/2/1930 Primrose stomp Jelly Roll Morton ; Red Hot Peppers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Decca 60021 10-in. 10/3/1935 I'm in the mood for love Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60022 10-in. 10/3/1935 You're my lucky star Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60023 10-in. 10/3/1935 La cucaracha Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60024 10-in. 10/3/1935 Got a brand new suit Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60155 10-in. 11/21/1935 I've got my fingers crossed Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60156 10-in. 11/21/1935 Old man Mose (is dead)-1 Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60157 10-in. 11/21/1935 I'm shooting high Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60158 10-in. 11/21/1935 (Was I to blame for) Falling in love with you Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60227 10-in. 12/13/1935 Red sails in the sunset Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60228 10-in. 12/13/1935 On Treasure Island Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60249 10-in. 12/19/1935 Thanks a million Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60250 10-in. 12/19/1935 Shoe Shine Boy Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60251 10-in. 12/19/1935 Solitude Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60252 10-in. 12/19/1935 I hope Gabriel likes my music Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60362 10-in. 1/18/1936 The music goes 'round and around Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60363 10-in. 1/18/1936 Rhythm saved the world Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 61058 10-in. 4/28/1936 I come from a musical family Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 61059 10-in. 4/29/1936 If we never meet again Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 61075 10-in. 4/28/1936 Somebody stole my break Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 61106 10-in. 5/18/1936 Lyin' to myself Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 61107 10-in. 5/18/1936 Ev'ntide Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 61108 10-in. 5/18/1936 Swing that music Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 61109 10-in. 5/18/1936 Thankful Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 61110 10-in. 5/18/1936 Red nose Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 61111 10-in. 5/18/1936 Mahogany Hall stomp Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 62328 10-in. 7/2/1937 Public melody number one Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 62329 10-in. 7/2/1937 Yours and mine Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 62330 10-in. 7/2/1937 Red cap Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 62335 10-in. 7/7/1937 She's the daughter of a planter from Havana Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 62336 10-in. 7/7/1937 Alexander's ragtime band Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 62337 10-in. 7/7/1937 Cuban Pete Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 62338 10-in. 7/7/1937 I've got a heart full of rhythm Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 62339 10-in. 7/7/1936 Sun showers Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 63775 10-in. 5/13/1938 So little time Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 63776 10-in. 5/13/1938 Mexican swing Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 63777 10-in. 5/13/1938 As long as you live Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 63778 10-in. 5/13/1938 When the Saints go marchin' in Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 63809 10-in. 5/18/1938 on the sentimentccl side Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 63810 10-in. 5/18/1938 It's wonderful Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 63811 10-in. 5/18/1938 Something tells me Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 63812 10-in. 5/18/1938 Love walked in Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 64907 10-in. 1/18/1939 Jeepers creepers Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 64908 10-in. 1/18/1939 What is this thing called swing? Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 65344 10-in. 4/5/1939 Hear me talkin' to ya Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 65345 10-in. 4/5/1939 Save it pretty Mama Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 65346 10-in. 4/5/1939 West End blues Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 65347 10-in. 4/5/1939 Savoy blues Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 65460 10-in. 4/25/1939 (I'm) Confessin' (that I love you) Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 65461 10-in. 4/25/1939 Our Monday date Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 65462 10-in. 4/25/1939 If it's good then I want it Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 65463 10-in. 4/25/1939 Me and Brother Bill Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 65824 10-in. 6/15/1939 Baby, won't you please come home? Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 65825 10-in. 6/15/1939 Poor old Joe Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 65826 10-in. 6/15/1939 Shanty boat on the Mississippi Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 66984 10-in. 12/18/1939 Poor old Joe Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 66985 10-in. 12/18/1939 You're a lucky guy Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 66986 10-in. 12/18/1939 You're just a no account Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 66987 10-in. 12/18/1939 Bye and bye Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 67321 10-in. 3/14/1940 Hep cat's ball Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 67322 10-in. 3/14/1940 You've got me voodoo'd Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 67323 10-in. 3/14/1940 Harlem stomp Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 67324 10-in. 3/14/1940 Wolverine blues Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 67325 10-in. 3/14/1940 Lazy 'sippi steamer Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 67648 10-in. 5/1/1940 Sweethearts on parade Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 67649 10-in. 5/1/1940 You run your mouth, I'll run my business Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 67650 10-in. 5/1/1940 Cut off my legs and call me Shorty Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 67651 10-in. 5/1/1940 Cain and Abel Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca DLA 1084 10-in. 11/15/1937 Once in a while Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca DLA 1085 10-in. 11/15/1937 On the sunny side of the street Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca DLA 1132 10-in. 1/12/1938 Satchel mouth swing Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca DLA 1133 10-in. 1/12/1938 Jubilee Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca DLA 1134 10-in. 1/12/1938 Struttin' with some barbecue Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca DLA 1135 10-in. 1/12/1938 The trumpet player's lament Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca DLA 1136 10-in. 1/13/1938 I double dare you Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca DLA 1137 10-in. 1/13/1938 True confession Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca DLA 1138 10-in. 1/13/1938 Let that be a lesson to you Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca DLA 1139 10-in. 1/13/1938 Sweet as a song Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Blair, Lee L.," accessed May 6, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110316.

Blair, Lee L.. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 6, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110316.

"Blair, Lee L.." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 6 May 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110316

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