Eddie Lang | |
|---|---|
 Lang, late 1920s | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Salvatore Massaro |
| Also known as | Blind Willie Dunn |
| Born | October 25, 1902 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | March 26, 1933 (aged 30) New York City |
| Genres | Jazz, swing, chamber jazz |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Years active | 1918–1933 |
| Labels | Columbia, Brunswick, Okeh |
| Formerly of | The Paul Whiteman Orchestra |
Eddie Lang (born Salvatore Massaro; October 25, 1902 – March 26, 1933) was an American musician who is credited as the father of jazz guitar.[1] During the 1920s, he gave the guitar a prominence it previously lacked as a solo instrument, as part of a band or orchestra, and as accompaniment for vocalists.[2] He recorded duets with guitarists Lonnie Johnson and Carl Kress and jazz violinist Joe Venuti, and played rhythm guitar in the Paul Whiteman Orchestra and was the favoured accompanist of Bing Crosby.
- ^ Ferguson, Jim (1983). Father of Jazz Guitar. GPI Publications. pp. 78–86.
- ^ Yanow, Scott (2003). Jazz on Record. San Francisco, California: Backbeat. p. 94. ISBN 0-87930-755-2.