Research Catalog

Oral history interview with Percy Brice.

Title
Oral history interview with Percy Brice.
Author
Brice, Percy
Publication
New York : Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 1994.

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pt. 1Moving imageUse in library Sc Visual DVD-1085 pt. 1Schomburg Center - Moving Image & Recorded Sound
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pt. 2Moving imageUse in library Sc Visual DVD-1085 pt. 2Schomburg Center - Moving Image & Recorded Sound

Details

Additional Authors
  • Smith, Warren, 1934-
  • Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
  • Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Description
2 videodiscs (148 min.) : soud, color; 4 3/4 in.
Summary
The oral history interview with Percy Brice begins with Brice describing his family and childhood in New York, 137th Street and 7th Avenue, during the Depression. His father was a postal employee. He describe his youth as going to school and earning extra money doing odd jobs in his neighborhood. His early exposure to music was his mother trying to teach him to play the piano but he was more interested in rhythm so his father bought him a set of drums instead. His early experience as a drummer was in ballroom dance school evenings in the 1930s. As he gained experience on the drums he branched out to various gigs in New York. He credits his success to working hard and taking any gig that was offered to him. His first band was playing drums for Luis Russell in 1944. He was not drafted into the Army. After his association with Luis Russell he joined Benny Carter's orchestra followed by and engagement with Mercer Ellington. He talks about traveling in the South with Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson in the late 1940s. The oral history interview follows Brice's career with various bands and fellow musicians, including Harry Belafonte and his transition to Broadway shows.
Subjects
Genre/Form
  • Interviews.
  • Oral histories.
Note
  • The Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project was funded by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc.
Terms of Use (note)
  • Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact repository for information.
Biography (note)
  • Percy Brice (born March 25,1923. in New York) is an American jazz drummer.
  • Percy Brice (born New York, 25 March 1923) is an American drummer. He has worked with Luis Russell (1944-5), Benny Carter (1945-6), and Mercer Ellington (1947) he played with Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson (late 1947-1951) and with Tab Smith, Cootie Williams, Tiny Grimes (1951-3), Lucky Thompson (at the Savoy in Harlem, 1953 - spring 1954), and Oscar Pettiford. Brice freelanced in the late '50s from a New York City home base, performing and recording with flutist Herbie Mann, guitarist Kenny Burrell, and singer Sarah Vaughan. He accompanied the latter artist for more than three years, including an extensive South American tour. Beginning in 1961 he worked with Belafonte for nearly eight years, followed by engagements with singer Carmen McRae and pianist Ahmad Jamal. Brice was active in the 1970s, concentrating on Broadway work, settling in for long runs on Eubie and Bubbling Brown Sugar, visiting Europe regularly. Between tours he worked with Illinois Jacquet.
Linking Entry (note)
  • Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Call Number
Sc Visual DVD-1085
OCLC
1121595871
Author
Brice, Percy, interviewee.
Title
Oral history interview with Percy Brice.
Production
New York : Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 1994.
Type of Content
two-dimensional moving image
Type of Medium
video
Type of Carrier
videodisc
Digital File Characteristics
video file DVD video
Performer
Interviewer, Warren Smith.
Event
Recorded August 2, 1994 at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Terms Of Use
Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact repository for information.
Biography
Percy Brice (born March 25,1923. in New York) is an American jazz drummer.
Percy Brice (born New York, 25 March 1923) is an American drummer. He has worked with Luis Russell (1944-5), Benny Carter (1945-6), and Mercer Ellington (1947) he played with Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson (late 1947-1951) and with Tab Smith, Cootie Williams, Tiny Grimes (1951-3), Lucky Thompson (at the Savoy in Harlem, 1953 - spring 1954), and Oscar Pettiford. Brice freelanced in the late '50s from a New York City home base, performing and recording with flutist Herbie Mann, guitarist Kenny Burrell, and singer Sarah Vaughan. He accompanied the latter artist for more than three years, including an extensive South American tour. Beginning in 1961 he worked with Belafonte for nearly eight years, followed by engagements with singer Carmen McRae and pianist Ahmad Jamal. Brice was active in the 1970s, concentrating on Broadway work, settling in for long runs on Eubie and Bubbling Brown Sugar, visiting Europe regularly. Between tours he worked with Illinois Jacquet.
Linking Entry
Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Connect to:
Request Access to Schomburg Moving Images and Recorded Sound
Added Author
Brice, Percy, performer.
Smith, Warren, 1934- interviewer.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Research Call Number
Sc Visual DVD-1085
Sc Visual VRC-295 MII videotape
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