ARTHUR MONK HAZEL

Arthur was born August 15, 1903 in Harvey, Louisiana. He passed away on March 5, 1968 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He not only was a well-known drummer, but he also played solos on brass instruments such as the cornet and mellophone. His father was also a drummer. Monk first played drums with Emmett hardy, from whom he received his first cornet. He played the cornet with Johhny Fischer's Brass Band. He then played drums with Stalebread Lacombe and also Jules Bauduc and Happy Schilling. During the 1920's, he played with several bands at the Halfway House such as the, "Halfway House Orchestra", led by Abbie Brunies and band leaders such as Tony Parenti and Johnny Wiggs. Monk had his own band the, "Bienville Roof Orchestra", that played on top of the Bienville Hotel at Lee Circle. He also played with Johnny Wiggs and Jack Pettis and his own group in New York. He spent some time in Hollywood working with Gene Austin. He made several recordings in the 1920's for Brunswick records. He first recorded in 1927 with Johnny Hyman's Bayou Stompers. In the 1930's he performed with Joe Caprano in New Orleans. He was in the Army from 1942-1943. In the last years of his life he worked with Sharkey Bonano, George Girard, Mike Lala, Santo Pecora and other well-known jazz musicians and groups. In 1954 he recorded an album for Southland Records. Members of his group included the then unknown Al Hirt on trumpet and Pete Fountain on clarinet.