Nappy Lamare | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Joseph Hilton Lamare |
| Born | (1905-06-14)June 14, 1905 New Orleans,Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | May 8, 1988(1988-05-08) (aged 82) Newhall,California, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz,Dixieland |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Guitar |
Joseph Hilton "Nappy"Lamare (June 14, 1905 – May 8, 1988)[1] was an Americanjazz banjoist, guitarist, and vocalist.
Lamare was born inNew Orleans,Louisiana, United States.[2] He got his nickname from his friend,Eddie Miller, because he had curly hair. He started playing trumpet, then dropped it for banjo when he was thirteen. Weeks later, he was a member of the Midnight Serenaders. In his teens he worked withSharkey Bonano,Monk Hazel, andJohnny Wiggs and, in 1925, toured in California withJohnny Bayersdorffer.[2] He recorded for the first time two years later with theNew Orleans Owls.[3]
He moved to New York City, playing mostly guitar instead of banjo. He became of a member of theBen Pollack orchestra and sang on "Two Tickets to Georgia" and “Got the Jitters” in 1933. After Pollack left,Bob Crosby took over the orchestra in 1934, and Lamare remained with him until 1942,[2] performing in records and films, sometimes as a vocalist.[3][4] After the orchestra dissolved again, he moved to California and spent the rest of his career playingDixieland as leader of the Louisiana Levee Loungers, then the Straw Hat Strutters in the 1940s and 1950s. The Strutters appeared in the movieHollywood Rhythm and on the weekly TV variety showDixie Showboat.[2] While heading the Riverboat Dandies, he injured hispinky finger and played bass guitar for five years until his finger healed.[3][4]
The latter part of his career he spent in reunions with Bob Crosby,[2] performing atDisneyland, and touring with theWorld's Greatest Jazz Band. He played guitar, banjo, and sang until his death at the age of 82.[3]
