Demas Dean

Demas Dean was a seasoned trumpeter who studied at Howard University and was an important part of the ensembles of some of the most musically ambitious jazz bandleaders of the '20s including Elmer Snowden and Leon Abbey. The latter bandleader took Demas to South America in 1927 for what was one the genre's great exploratory adventures of that era. Later, Dean was part of the hit show entitled Blackbirds of 1929, recorded with classic blues empress Bessie Smith, and spent a decade as part of the excellent band of Noble Sissle. Dean is also on the list of players who were forced to work in the post office to survive, and up near the top if it is arranged alphabetically. With a brother and no less than six sisters who played instruments it is no surprise that as a youngster Dean played not only cornet but the violin. He began gigging in high school as part of Mazzeo's Brass Band and spent at least one summer season backing Beatrice Van Houten. His college years brought him in touch with many great leaders, including collaborations with "Doc" Perry and Russell Wooding. Beginning in 1923 the trumpeter spent two years touring and recording with Lucille Hegamin and Her Dixie Daisies, subsequently moving around the geographical terrain as if he was actually a daisy choosing a spot to pop up next spring. At one point in the late '20s he was located in Florida, working with Ford Dabney's Orchestra. Then he was back in New York, employed by Blackbirds of 1928 and freelancing on recording sessions and gigs--but not before the South American adventure. 1929 was the year his ship sailed for Europe courtesy of Sissle. While he did work with others such as Joe Jordan and Pike Davis, he was pretty much associated with Sissle from that point on. When the three year run of the show...