Papa John Joseph

Papa John Joseph (27 November 1877 – 22 January 1965) was an early New Orleans jazz string bass player.

Papa John Joseph
Birth name	John Joseph
Born	November 27, 1877 St. James Parish, Louisiana, United States
Died	January 22, 1965 (aged 87)
Genres	Jazz
Occupation(s)	String bassist Barber
Instruments	String bass
Associated acts	Buddy Bolden Claiborne Williams band Original Tuxedo Orchestra

Joseph was born in St. James Parish, Louisiana, and moved to New Orleans by 1906.

Early in his career he played with Buddy Bolden. He later played in the Claiborne Williams band and the Original Tuxedo Orchestra.

For years in midlife he worked professionally as a barber, playing music occasionally on the side. He returned to music full-time in his later years. He was a regular at Preservation Hall until he famously dropped dead there after finishing a rousing version of "When the Saints Go Marching In".

References

• New Orleans Jazz: A Family Album by Al Rose and Edmond Souchon
• Allaboutjazz.com