DAVE BARTHOLOMEW

Biography

David Louis Bartholomew was born on December 24, 1918, in Edgard, Louisiana, a small town on the outskirts of New Orleans. Originally learning the tuba from his father, Bartholomew switched to trumpet and received instruction from Peter Davis, the same music teacher who had tutored Louis Armstrong. By age 14, he was already performing with some of the South's most popular bands, including Papa Celestin's and Joe Robichaux's groups. In 1939, he joined Fats Pichon's band aboard the riverboat SS Capitol, traveling up and down the Mississippi River between St. Paul, Minnesota, and New Orleans. He also performed briefly with the Jimmy Lunceford Orchestra before serving in World War II with the 196th Army Ground Forces Band, where he developed his writing and arranging skills.

After the war, Bartholomew returned to New Orleans and formed his own band in November 1945, Dave Bartholomew and the Dew Droppers, named after the Dew Drop Inn. The band became "the bedrock of R&B in the city" and served as a model for early rock and roll bands worldwide. In 1947, he began recording at Cosimo Matassa's studio and met Lew Chudd of Imperial Records. His fateful partnership with Fats Domino began when he discovered the pianist performing at the Hideaway Club in New Orleans. Together, they created "The Fat Man" in 1949, which sold over one million copies and is considered by many to be one of the first rock and roll records. Throughout the mid-1950s, Bartholomew and Domino wrote more than 40 hits for Imperial Records, including the Billboard number-one pop hit "Ain't That a Shame" in 1955.

Bartholomew was a true pioneer who bridged the gap between jump blues, swing, and rhythm and blues, ultimately helping to create rock and roll. His "Big Beat" sound, characterized by a heavy backbeat and powerful horn arrangements, influenced countless musicians. Beyond his work with Domino, he composed and produced hits for numerous artists, including "I Hear You Knocking," "Blue Monday," "I'm Walkin'," and "My Ding-a-Ling." His combination of New Orleans jazz traditions with modern rhythm and blues helped bring Black and white audiences together on the dance floor. Bartholomew was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. He remained active in the New Orleans music scene throughout the second half of the 20th century and passed away on June 23, 2019, at the age of 100.

Fun Facts

• Bartholomew proclaimed himself the inventor of the "Big Beat," the driving rhythm that became foundational to rock and roll music.
• He served in the U.S. Army Band during World War II, where he simultaneously tried his hand at writing and arranging music for the first time, skills that would become central to his later success.
• At age 14, Bartholomew was already performing with some of the most popular bands in the South, demonstrating his exceptional musical talent from a very young age.
• Bartholomew lived to be 100 years old, passing away in New Orleans on June 23, 2019, having witnessed and shaped nearly a century of American popular music.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Peter Davis - Music teacher who taught Bartholomew trumpet; also tutored Louis Armstrong (Trumpet instruction) [1930s]

Key Collaborators

• Fats Domino - Long-term songwriting and production partnership; co-wrote over 40 hits together ("The Fat Man," "Ain't That a Shame," "Blueberry Hill," "I'm Walkin'," "Blue Monday," "I'm Walkin' to New Orleans") [1949-1950s]
• Earl Palmer - Drummer in Bartholomew's band, the Dew Droppers (Rhythm section for numerous recordings) [1945-1950s]
• Lee Allen - Saxophonist in Bartholomew's band (Horn section arrangements) [1940s-1950s]
• Alvin Tyler - Saxophonist in Bartholomew's band (Horn section arrangements) [1940s-1950s]
• Cosimo Matassa - Studio owner/engineer where Bartholomew recorded many hits (First recordings including "She's Got Great Big Eyes" (1947) and numerous Fats Domino hits) [1947-1950s]
• Lew Chudd - Founder of Imperial Records who signed Bartholomew (Imperial Records productions) [1947-1950s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Carnival Day
2. Single Life (New Orleans Finest the Dave Bartholomew Essential Collection, Vol. 1)
3. The Monkey - Remastered (The Big Beat Of Dave Bartholomew: 20 Milestone Dave Bartholomew Productions 1949-1960)
4. Shrimp And Gumbo - Remastered (The Big Beat Of Dave Bartholomew: 20 Milestone Dave Bartholomew Productions 1949-1960)
5. I'm Walking (Walking to New Orleans)
6. Who Drank My Beer While I Was In The Rear - Remastered (The Big Beat Of Dave Bartholomew: 20 Milestone Dave Bartholomew Productions 1949-1960)
7. My Ding-A-Ling (In The Alley)
8. Jump Children (Jump Blue: Rockin' The Jukes)
9. Lawdy Lawdy Lord (Part 1) (In The Alley)
10. Let The Four Winds Blow (New Orleans 'Yea Yea' Breakdown)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #jazz, #new-orleans-r&b, #r&b