* En anglais uniquement
He was never the greatest timekeeper, but
Sonny Greer was perfect for
Duke Ellington's Orchestra during 1924-1951, adding color and class to the rhythm section. He met
Ellington in 1919 when he was a member of the Howard Theatre's orchestra in Washington, D.C.
Greer visited New York for the first time with
Elmer Snowden and was an original member of Ellington's Washingtonians, which was a five-piece group at its start.
Greer's playing grew with the band, and his large array of sounds (using a drum set that included a gong, chimes, timpani, and vibes) added to the
Ellington band's "jungle sound." He was with the orchestra until 1951 when, after a few arguments with
Ellington over his drinking and increasing unreliability,
Greer left to join
Johnny Hodges' new group. He later worked with
Red Allen,
Tyree Glenn, and
J.C. Higginbottham; in 1967 led his own band; and played with
Brooks Kerr's trio in the 1970s. ~ Scott Yanow