S.O.D. "Harlem Congo" by Chick Webb

9/26/2018 This Baltimore born jazz drummer was a good and selfless man.  Born in 1905, he would become a popular and influential jazz and swing drummer as well as a band leader.  He would however only make it to age 34 when he was taken with spinal tuberculosis, something the medical world didn't know much about then.  He was operated on, the year of his death at Johns Hopkins Hospital. During the great depression he wanted to keep his band employed, and would play even when ill, sometimes passing out during a performance.  

You can now find him at Arbutus Memorial Park in Arbutus, Maryland. Ella Fitzgerald, who took over his band after his death, cited him as an influence along with Duke Ellington and many others.  If you want to hear some drum solos, check out his stuff.