About David Bee
Lived 1903 – 1992 (aged 88–89). David Bee was a Belgian composer, jazz musician, saxophonist, music arranger and musician.
David Bee, also known as Ernest Craps, Ernie Sparks, and Manuel Travo (October 17, 1903, Brussels - 1992) was a Belgian jazz musician, arranger, and composer.
Bee was a multi-instrumentalist, adept on clarinet, harp, piano, and alto and tenor saxophone. He played with the group Bistrouille ADO during 1924–1925 before co-founding an ensemble with Peter Packay called Red Beans, a group which toured widely throughout Western Europe. After returning to Belgium, he joined Robert De Kers's band, and also played in Paris with musicians such as Benny Carter and Willie Lewis. He recorded with Gus Deloof in 1940-1941 and played with Robert Bosmans and Chas Dolne later in the decade. He continued recording into the late 1950s.
As a composer, Bee was known for the tunes "High Tension" (recorded by Luis Russell) and "Obsession" (recorded by Ted Heath and Reg Owen).
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Important facts
People in David Bee's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped David Bee's
Frequently asked questions
Who was David Bee?
Belgian jazz composer and jazz player
When was David Bee born?
David Bee was born on 17 October 1903 in Brussels metropolitan area.
When did David Bee die?
David Bee died in 1992 in Brussels.
What was David Bee's occupation?
David Bee was a composer, jazz musician, saxophonist, music arranger and musician.
What nationality was David Bee?
David Bee was Belgian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). David Bee. https://biography.guide/david-bee/
MLA: "David Bee." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/david-bee/.
Chicago: "David Bee." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/david-bee/.
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