Erskine Oglesby

Erskine Oglesby (January 20, 1937 – March 7, 2004) was an American tenor saxophonist and blues singer. He was a native of St. Louis and as a teenager he played in a local band with Chuck Berry. He later played with Little Milton, Albert King, and Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm. Oglesby also recorded as a solo artist and released a few albums on Black & Tan Records.

Erskine Oglesby
BornJanuary 20, 1937
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
DiedMarch 7, 2004(2004-03-07) (aged 67)
GenresBlues, R&B
Occupation(s)Musician, singer
InstrumentsSaxophone, vocals
LabelsBlack & Tan Records
Associated actsIke Turner
Kings of Rhythm

Biography

Oglesby was born in the St. Louis neighborhood of Mill Creek Valley on January 20, 1937.[1] By the age of 14, he was playing in a local band with guitarist Chuck Berry. Oglesby attended Vashon High School in St. Louis.[1]

As a teenager, Oglesby joined the Air Force near the end of the Korean War. After his service, he joined Billy Gayles' band in 1958.[1] Through Gayles, he met bandleader Ike Turner and joined his Kings of Rhythm as a baritone player and vocalist. Oglesby left the band because he didn't want to tour.[2]

Through the years, Oglesby played saxophone on records by various R&B and blues artists such Ike & Tina Turner, Albert King, Little Milton, and Benny Sharp. Not wanting to limit himself to only R&B and blues, Oglesby also played with local jazz acts including, Terry Williams and the Sound Merchants and the quartet Tres' Bien.[1]

While working as a musician, he also held day jobs as a dishwasher and street worker for the YMCA helping unemployed people find jobs. Oglesby earned a degree in social work and worked with inner city kids.[1]

In 1986 and 1987, Oglesby toured Europe with several original members of the Kings of Rhythm, including Clayton Love, Billy Gayles, Stacy Johnson, Oliver Sain, and former Ikette Robbie Montgomery. They were known as the St. Louis Kings of Rhythm.[3] Mayor Vincent Schoemehl officially appointed them as ambassadors for the City of St. Louis.[4] They recorded a double album for Timeless Records in the Netherlands.[5]

After the blues revival in the 1990s, Oglesby returned to playing music full-time and he released two album on Black & Tan Records.

Oglesby died on March 7, 2004. He is buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis County, Missouri.[6]

Discography

Studio albums
  • 2000: Blues Dancin' (Black & Tan)
  • 2001: Honkin' & Shoutin' (Black & Tan)

Album appearances
  • 2004: Straight Blues 4U (Black & Tan)
  • 2005: Keeping Living Music Alive (Black & Tan)
  • 2007: Black & Tan Sampler, Vol. 2 (Black & Tan)

Albums as a sideman

References
  1. Olson, Bruce R. (2016). That St. Louis Thing, Vol. 2: An American Story of Roots, Rhythm and Race. pp. 131–132. ISBN 978-1-4834-5799-4. Archived from the original on 2020-10-02. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  2. Greensmith, Bill; Camarigg, Mark; Rowe, Mike (2015). Blues Unlimited: Essential Interviews from the Original Blues Magazine. University of Illinois Press. p. 228. ISBN 978-0-252-09750-8. Archived from the original on 2020-10-02. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  3. Kasten, Roy. "Stacy Johnson, Singer with Ike Turner and Benny Sharp and the Sharpees, Has Died". Riverfront Times. Archived from the original on 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
  4. Baugh, Bob (June 27, 2018). "Jimmy Hinds: The Sound of St. Louis". KDHX. Archived from the original on January 12, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  5. "BB's Jazz Blues & Soups: The Second Era" (PDF). Bluesletter: 9. Nov–Dec 2017.
  6. "Erskine Oglesby, Sr (1937-2004)". Find A Grave. Archived from the original on 2020-03-27.
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