Nappy Lamare

about

Joseph Hilton "Nappy" Lamare (June 14, 1905,[2] New Orleans – May 8, 1988, Newhall, California) was an American jazz banjoist, guitarist, and vocalist. Lamare's nickname isn't based on a given name of Napoleon; its true origin was revealed by his son: Lamare was christened with the nickname of "Nappy" by his close childhood buddy, Eddie Miller, during the early 1920s. "Dad liked to sleep in late and plus, he had very tight, curly hair," Barry Lamare explained. "So Eddie used to refer to my dad as being 'nappy-headed.'" Lamare started his musical career in New Orleans, working with performers such as Monk Hazel, Johnny Wiggs, and Sharkey Bonano. In 1925, his childhood friend, drummer Ray Bauduc, invited him to join Johnny Bayersdorffer's band, with which he toured in California. After returning to New Orleans, Lamare played in Chicago, New York and Atlantic City with other bands, eventually returning to New Orleans to join the New Orleans Owls. In 1927, he made his recording debut with Johnny Wiggs' band, which was known as "John Hyman's Bayou Stompers". With jobs in New Orleans becoming scarce, Nappy traveled to New York in search of work there. Bandleader Ben Pollack hired Lamare as his guitarist in September 1930 upon Bauduc's recommendation. The Pollack band broke up in late 1934. In 1935, along with Bauduc, Miller and other former Pollack band members, Lamare founded the Bob Crosby band, with which he played until late 1942. In addition to his role as rhythm guitarist,

top songs

albums

similar artists