Jazz research on the Internet: a continuing saga
Tenor saxophonist. Carter Randolph Jefferson, Jr. was born November 30, 1945 in Washington, D.C.; died December 10, 1993 in Krakow, Poland.
Jefferson came from a musical family and began studying clarinet at age 11, soon moving to alto saxophone. He attended Cardozo High School and was playing professionally from age 15, working with rhythm-and-blues groups including that of Ike and Tina Turner.
Drummer. William Henry Deppenschmidt, III born February 16, 1936 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Father was a professional saxophonist, working at the Roxy-Mastbaum Theater in Philadelphia in the 1930s. Family moved to Richmond, Virginia in 1940. Attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond, Virginia.
Bassist. Merton Alexander Oliver born January 28, 1917 in Herndon, Virginia; died April 19, 1965 in Washington, D.C.
Led group at Log Tavern. Worked with Ralph Hawkins band (1942). Played in Washington sessions organized by Nesuhi Ertegun (1943). Worked with Sonny Dunham (1943-1944), Teddy Powell (1944), Boyd Raeburn (1944), Woody Herman (1949-1950), Elliot Lawrence (1950-1951), Tommy Dorsey (1952).
Baritone saxophonist. Jack Jerome Nimetz born January 11, 1930 in Washington, D.C.; died June 10, 2009 in Studio City, California.
Member of THE Orchestra (1951-1953). Also played with Bob Astor, Daryl Harpa, Mert Oliver.
Joined Woody Herman’s Third Herd, touring and recording from 1953 to 1955, then played with Stan Kenton in 1956 and again from 1959 to 1960.
Drummer and bandleader. Frederick William Merkle, Jr. born December 7, 1928 in Washington, D.C.; died December 13, 1986 in Arlington, Virginia.
Attended Roosevelt High School.
Worked frequently with Bill Potts at clubs including Vineyard and Merry-Land. Led 11-piece band. Recorded Jazz Under the Dome (1957).
Bandleader. William Baldwin born January 13, 1898 in Washington, D.C.; died May 25, 1943.
Played for proms, weddings, and parties. Worked steadily at Lincoln Colonnade, Suburban Gardens, and Murray Casino in 1937-1943 with regular radio broadcasts on WWDC. Also played for chartered cruises on the Potomac River.