JOSHUA ALTHEIMER

Joshua Altheimer fué un pionero con el piano del Blues, acompañando a varios grandes del género como Big Bill Broonzy, Lonnie Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson, que más tarde se convertirían en leyenda. 

                   

By randomandrare 


a/k/a "Mean Old Captain"

Willie "Boodle It" Right:Vocals

Prob. Joshua Altheimer:Piano

Fred Williams:Drums

Recorded in Chicago, IL. Monday, October 7, 1940

Originally issued on the 1940 single (OKeh 05959) (78 RPM)


This recording taken from the 1996 CD "Rare 1930s & '40s Blues, Vol. 3" (Austria)



                             
               

                                               
               

En ambas piezas Joshua Altheimer al piano. 


Joshua Altheimer was born on 17 May 1910 in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas son of Silas Altheimer. His death certificate names his mother as "Verdis Pruitt Barnes Altheimer." However, it appears she should be Vertie/Verdie/Verdis Bond. Arkansas Marriages shows S.J. Altheimer married 1 February 1894 to Vertie Bond. 

Remembered for accompanying Big Bill Broonzy, Lonnie Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson and others on influential blues recordings made in Chicago in the 1930s. He was described by Broonzy as "the best blues piano player I ever heard", and by blues historian Hugues Panassié as "the greatest blues pianist on records."

Brother of Orestes Altheimer (1897-1942) also buried at Lincoln Cemetery whose death certificate names his mother as Verdie Bonds.

He died 18 November 1940 at age 30 at Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Illinois the result of various ailments including pneumonia. Survivors included his wife Marie (nee Perry), sons Nathan (1935-1964) and Jerome (about 9 months), father Silas and brothers Felmon and Orestes. He was preceded in death by infant son Joshua, Jr.

Gravestone placed by Killer Blues Project in September 2013.