Biography
Demas Dean, a trumpeter of long experience who attended Howard University, contributed to the groups of several forward-looking jazz leaders during the 1920s, among them Elmer Snowden and Leon Abbey. Abbey transported Dean to South America in 1927 on one of the period’s notable jazz explorations. Dean later appeared in the popular revue Blackbirds of 1929, recorded alongside Bessie Smith, the classic blues empress, and remained for a decade with Noble Sissle’s strong band. He also belongs among the alphabetically prominent jazz musicians compelled to take postal employment for financial survival. A household containing one brother and six sisters, each an instrumentalist, naturally led the young Dean to study both cornet and violin. While still in high school he performed with Mazzeo’s Brass Band and passed at least one summer season supporting Beatrice Van Houten. University studies placed him in contact with such leaders as “Doc” Perry and Russell Wooding. Beginning in 1923 the trumpeter toured and recorded for two years with Lucille Hegamin & Her Dixie Daisies, then shifted locations repeatedly as though selecting fresh ground for each season. During the late 1920s he settled briefly in Florida with Ford Dabney’s Orchestra. Upon returning to New York he joined the cast of Blackbirds of 1928 and accepted freelance recording and performance work, though only after the South American journey had already taken place. In 1929 Sissle arranged Dean’s passage to Europe. Although he worked at times with Joe Jordan and Pike Davis, his steady association remained with Sissle. After the three-year run of Rhapsody in Black ended in 1934, Dean became exclusively available to Sissle. Ten years later he abandoned full-time music, relocated to the west coast, and joined the Los Angeles Post Office, where he remained until retirement in 1965. He continued living in that city through the following decade yet died without public notice.