Biography
Though Barrett Deems attained his greatest visibility through tours with the Louis Armstrong All-Stars, the role confined him uncomfortably to a Dixieland framework. His actual path encompassed an extended career marked by several underrecognized peaks. At fifteen he joined Paul Ash’s ensemble, and throughout much of the 1930s he directed his own units. He performed with the Joe Venuti big band from 1937 to 1944, appeared with Red Norvo in 1948, worked briefly with Charlie Barnet in 1951, and remained with Muggsy Spanier from 1951 to 1954, during which time promoters frequently billed him, with some justification, as “the world’s fastest drummer.” His association with Louis Armstrong lasted from 1954 to 1958, a stretch during which numerous jazz critics faulted his contributions even though he delivered his strongest effort. Following engagements with Jack Teagarden from 1960 to 1963, he established himself in Chicago and performed locally alongside many leading swing musicians. In 1976 he traveled through Eastern Europe with Benny Goodman’s sextet and later journeyed to South America alongside Wild Bill Davison. During his final decades Barrett Deems directed a fairly modern big band in Chicago; after reaching eighty he recorded a robust album with the group for Delmark, his approach reflecting the influence of Buddy Rich. He succumbed to pneumonia on September 15, 1998.
Albums