Lou Black

'Lou' Louis Thomas Black, born in Rock Island, Illinois June 8 1901 - died in Rock Island, Illinois November 18 1965.

One of the foremost banjo player of the Jazz Era.

Began playing banjo during early childhood and became professional in 1917.

In 1921 joined the famous New Orleans Rhythm Kings at Friar's Inn in Chicago and with this band participated to the very first interracial recording session with pianist Jelly Roll Morton.

Left the band in 1923 to play with other bands and from 1925 until 1931 was a staff musician on radio WHO in Des Moines, Iowa.

Left music in early '30s but began playing again in 1961 and sat in with several bands during a brief stay in New York, then played gigs in Moline, Illinois from fall of 1963.

While recovering in hospital from a car crash, he suffered a fatal heart attack.

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