WARREN "BABY" DODDS

Warren ‘Baby’ Dodds, born in 1897. Baby was the younger brother of clarinettist, Johnny Dodds, one of most original and influential reedmen of those early years. Baby was a schooled drummer, which meant he had a thorough knowledge of the military rudiments of drumming. The difference, however, between Dodds and a conventional straight, parade drummer was his heritage. Dodds had Africa in his blood. His ancestors had been slaves and the rhythms of that exciting continent were, to a great degree, carried to new world. This tradition, mingled with European music, became what we know as Jazz. Dodds was playing in parades as early as the 1910s, often with Bunk Johnson as well as with "Frankie Dusen's Eagle Band". He played non parade gigs in the famous "Fewclothes Cabaret". A short spell with cornetist "Oscar Papa Celestin's Band" followed, before the young drummer joined Fate Marable's band on the SS Sydney. In read more...