William "O'Neil" Spencer (November 25, 1909 – July 24, 1944) was a jazz drummer and singer. He is most known for his work in the John Kirby Sextet. According to a Jazz Profiles Blogspot on 8 August 2008 and an interview with legendary jazz drummer Philly Jo Jones (see: Cerra, Steven 5 August 2008. "Jazz Profiles: "The Wonder" of Philly Joe Jones - Part 1". Jazzprofiles.blogspot.com.), "O'Neil" is credited with the invention of the hi-hat in 1942. Prior to 1942, drummers used a "low-hat". A similar configuration with closing cymbals and foot pedal, but only extending about 12 inches off the ground. The higher position of the cymbals allows a drummer to hit the cymbals in an open or closed position for additional sounds during play. The hi-hat has become standard drumset equipment. He began with work for Al Sears and from 1931 to 1936 he worked with the

Mills Blue Rhythm Band The Mills Blue Rhythm Band was an American big band active during the 1930s. History The band was formed in New York City in 1930 by drummer Willie Lynch as the Blue Rhythm Band, and then briefly operated as the Coconut Grove Orchestra. Irvi ...

. He joined Kirby's group in 1937, but had to leave for a time in 1941 due to

tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB), also known colloquially as the "white death", or historically as consumption, is a contagious disease usually caused by ''Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can al ...

. He rejoined in 1942 staying until 1943, but died soon after from the disease.

External links

All Music AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the datab ...

O'Neil Spencer recordings
at the

Discography of American Historical Recordings The Discography of American Historical Recordings (DAHR) is a database catalog of master recordings made by American record companies during the 78rpm era. The 78rpm era was the time period in which any flat disc records were being played at ...

. 1909 births Jazz drummers 20th-century deaths from tuberculosis 1944 deaths Place of birth missing Place of death missing 20th-century American drummers Mills Blue Rhythm Band members Tuberculosis deaths in New York (state) American male drummers {{Jazz-drummer-stub