Wilson Myers

Wilson "Serious" Myers (born Ernest Wilson Myers or Wilson Ernestine Myers, October 2, 1906 – July 10, 1992) was an American jazz double-bassist, baritone and bass saxophonist, vocalist, bandleader and arranger, best known for his contributions to New Orleans jazz. He also played trombone on a 1996 released album of Django Reinhardt recordings.

Biography

Myers was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania. He began his professional career in the American South, gaining his nickname "Serious" for his love of classical music. He played drums with Bessie Smith in the mid-1920s, and also played guitar and banjo professionally. He first played bass with King Oliver, then with the Bechet-Ladnier New Orleans Footwarmers. In the 1920s and 1930s, he played baritone and bass saxophone and violin with Sidney Bechet along with an occasional bass guitar. In the 1930s he played in Europe in the bands of Django Reinhardt, including in one unknown date of a 1996 released album where he played contrabass trombone, Lucky Millinder, and Willie Lewis. On his return he played in New York City and Philadelphia with Sidney Bechet and Mezz Mezzrow, as well as leading his own band and contributing arrangements. One of his key recordings, as bassist and vocalist, was "Preachin' Blues", first recorded with Bechet's New Orleans Footwarmers in 1940, and described as a precursor of rhythm and blues music. He also worked with the Spirits of Rhythm in the 1930s and 1940s, and in the latter decade played with Jimmy Dorsey, Bob Mosley, Tiger Haynes, Rex Stewart, and for a short time with Duke Ellington.

He worked locally in Philadelphia into the 1970s, playing music in addition to working as a preacher. He died in Philadelphia in 1992.