As either David Black or Dave Black, this drummer is best-known for an association with Duke Ellington that lasted between 1953 and 1955. Prior to that, he rode his cymbals for many a soloist as the house drummer at the Blue Note Club in Philadelphia, backing up Charlie Parker, among others. The flamboyant Buddy Rich was Black's main man despite the vast difference in backgrounds -- the superstar drummer was a self-taught drummer as a child and never learned to read music, while Black studied formally at the Mastbaum School of Music in Philadelphia. Both were great soloists, but Black apparently lacked his model's ambition as a bandleader.

"I want to hear "Caravan" with a drum solo," a famous heckle from an early record by the Mothers of Invention, was in reality a call to arms for Black, who was often featured on this tune during his Ellington years and ironically shared last names with the drummer of the former group.

After leaving Ellington, Black stepped backwards stylistically.
He worked quite regularly with Bob Scobey up until the Dixieland bandleader's death from a heart attack in 1963. The drummer has continued to perform and record, most recently backing up pianist and singer Si Perkoff. Black has also written arrangements that were recorded by bandleader and fellow drum showboat Louie Bellson.

read more about Dave Black - here:

from Bandleader Rex Allen:

Just visited your excellent site, and enjoyed the extended treatment your
gave my dear friend and colleague, Dave Black. Thank you for noting his passing
which occurred on Monday, December 4.

Nice to see the videos of Dave you included on the site, which were from a
live concert we did in 1988 with Rex Allen's Swing Express®.

As one of only a handful of full-time working Swing bands on the West Coast,
the 5-piece Swing Express featured Dave on hundreds of appearances - nearly
every week for THIRTY YEARS. And prior to 1977, we knew one another on a
freelance basis for some years.

Dave gave notice about a year and a half ago when health issues caused him to
restrict his volume of work and traveling.

We were extremely close (am a trombonist/vibist, but play drums, as well),
and I was honored to have helped promote Dave's name in contemporary drum
circles for years.

Our long association also includes Dave's 5-year stint with my 14-piece REX
ALLEN BIG BAND (he replaced ex-Tommy Dorsey drummer Tom Widdicomb) in the 1980s.

More importantly, and in connection with Dave's long-standing connection to
Gene Krupa, Dave was selected by me to be the drummer for the first official
and estate-sponsored GENE KRUPA ORCHESTRA, when I was appointed leader of that
orchestra. Our co-leading relationship lasted from 1986-1992 and included
numerous tours, public and private appearances in the United States.

For some reason this long and important association, which significantly
shaped Dave's latter career and contributed substantial portion of his income,
seems to have been overlooked in the usual reportage.

Just want to set the record straight, especially on your special site.

Thanks again, and Keep Swinging!

Rex Allen
Founder, America Swings Again!®
http://wwwold.riverwalkjazz.org/profiles/rexallen.htm