John Joseph, better known by his stage namePapa John Joseph (27 November 1877 – 22 January 1965), was an earlyNew Orleans jazzstring bass player.

Joseph was born inSt. James Parish, Louisiana in 1877 duringReconstruction, and moved to New Orleans by 1906.

Early in his career he played withBuddy Bolden. He later played in theClaiborne Williams band and theOriginal Tuxedo Orchestra.

For years in midlife he worked professionally as a barber, playing music occasionally on the side. He returned to music full-time in his later years. He was a regular atPreservation Hall until he famously dropped dead there in 1965 after finishing a rousing version of "When the Saints Go Marching In". He was 87 years old and his jazz funeral took place atSt. Augustine Catholic Church in New Orleans.^[1]

• New Orleans Jazz: A Family Album by Al Rose and Edmond Souchon

• Jazz musicians from New Orleans
• 1877 births
• 1965 deaths
• American jazz double-bassists
• American male double-bassists
• American male jazz musicians
• African-American Catholics

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