About Ollie Powers
Lived 1886 – 1928 (aged 41–42). Ollie Powers was an American jazz musician, singer and musician.
Ollie Powers (1890 – April 14, 1928) was an American jazz drummer and vocalist. was born in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. Powers helped Armstrong land a job there before Armstrong left for New York City to play with Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra.
One of his ensembles, named Ollie Powers' Harmony Syncopators, recorded for Paramount Records in 1923. The label released two tracks; "Jazzbo Jenkins" and "Play That Thing." The latter track was recorded four times by the band. From 1926 onwards, he performed with the clarinet player and sometimes bandleader, Jimmie Noone, until shortly before Powers death. During the funeral at Liberty Congregational Church, Armstrong played "Going Home" from Dvořák's New World Symphony.
Both of the Paramount tracks were released in November 2013 on the compilation album, The Rise & Fall of Paramount Records, Vol. 1 (1917-1927).
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Important facts
People in Ollie Powers's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Ollie Powers's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Ollie Powers?
American jazz drummer and vocalist
When was Ollie Powers born?
Ollie Powers was born in 1886 in Louisville.
When did Ollie Powers die?
Ollie Powers died on 1 April 1928 in Chicago.
What was Ollie Powers's occupation?
Ollie Powers was a jazz musician, singer and musician.
What nationality was Ollie Powers?
Ollie Powers was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ollie Powers. https://biography.guide/ollie-powers/
MLA: "Ollie Powers." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ollie-powers/.
Chicago: "Ollie Powers." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ollie-powers/.
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