HILLARD L. BROWN

Instruments: Drums
Date of Birth: May 12, 1913
Place of Birth: Birmingham, Alabama

Began playing drums in 1926, taught by Richard Barnett, Oliver Coleman and others. First gigs in Chicago (December 1933). First professional work in band led by pianist Ruth Oldham at Montgomery Theater, Chicago (July 1934). With Johnny Long, Tony Fambro, Les Wilcox (1935), Eddie McLaughlin (1936). Erskine Tate (1937), Les Wilcox (1937-8), Sonny Thompson (1939), Bobby Tinsley (1939), Tiny Parham (1940-1), Walter Fuller (1942), Carroll Dickerson, Jay McShann (1943), Jesse Miller (1944). Brief tour with Duke Ellington (October 1944). With Billy Eckstine (1944), Ben Webster at Onyx Club, New York (1945) And Dallas Bartley (1945). Own band in Chicago from 1946 until 1954, then became Business Agent for musicians union until the mid 1960s. Resumed free-lance playing during the 1970s, often worked with Art Hodges, combining this work with work in real estate.