Huey Long (singer)

Huey Long (April 25, 1904 – June 10, 2009) was an American jazz and R&B guitarist and singer and band leader who was a member of the quartet The Ink Spots.[1] Long's career began in the 1925 as a banjoist before moving to guitar. He became a member of the Ink Spots in 1945 and participated in spinoff bands in the 1960s.[2]

This article is about the American jazz singer. For other uses, see Huey Long (disambiguation).
Huey Long
Born(1904-04-25)April 25, 1904
Sealy, Texas, U.S.
DiedJune 10, 2009(2009-06-10) (aged 105)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
GenresJazz, swing, dixieland
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • musician
  • bandleader
  • arranger
  • music educator
InstrumentsBanjo, guitar
Years active1925–1985
LabelsVictor, Decca
Associated acts

Career

Born in Sealy, Texas, Long began his musical career in 1925 playing banjo for Frank Davis' Louisiana Jazz Band Houston. He switched from banjo to guitar after moving to Chicago, where he appeared at the 1933 World's Fair with Texas Guinan's Cuban Orchestra. He performed with artists such as Lil Armstrong and Fletcher Henderson, and his career also encompassed sideman, band leader, music arranger and music teacher.[1]

In 1943, the Ink Spots's guitarist Charlie Fuqua was drafted and replaced by Bernie Mackey. When Mackey departed in 1945, leader Bill Kenny offered Long the position. Long stayed with the Ink Spots for nine months until October 1945 when Fuqua returned from the Army. Long moved to New York City, where he taught music. In the 1960s he joined Ink Spots tribute groups.[3]

He retired to Houston, where his daughter set up a museum commemorating him and the Ink Spots.[3] Long died in Houston, Texas at the age of 105 on June 10, 2009.[1]

References
  1. Turner, Allan (June 11, 2009). "Ink Spots guitarist Huey Long, 105, dies in Houston". The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  2. Chadbourne, Eugene. "Huey Long". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  3. Leigh, Spencer (June 17, 2009). "Huey Long: Singer and guitarist who found fame with the Ink Spots". The Independent. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
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