Black Benny

Background

Black Benny was born and died in New Orleans.

Career

He was mentioned by many New Orleans musicians of the era but he left no recordings. He grew up in a rough poor African-American neighborhood in the Third Ward of New Orleans known as "The Battleground". He played with such notable brass bands as the Onward, Camelia, and the Tuxedo Brass Band as well as with such leaders as Kid Ory, Kid Rena, and Wooden Joe Nicholas.

Benny was in and out of jails all his life.

He once shot a bystander during a march on Canal Street, and was himself reportedly shot by a jealous woman. In addition to his work as a drummer Black Benny worked as a bouncer and a prizefighter.

Sidney Bechet also talks about Black Benny Williams in his autobiography, as does Jelly Roll Morton in his Library of Congress interviews.

Connections

colleague:

Louis Armstrong