Onzie Horne
American musician
About Onzie Horne
Lived 1923 – 1973 (aged 49).
Onzie O. Horne (5 September 1923 – 9 February 1973) was an American arranger, businessman, conductor, disc jockey, and musician. He worked with Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Sammy Davis Jr, Rufus Thomas and BB King and was the first African American to conduct the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Career Horne was born in Memphis to father Eugene G. Horne. Horne was hired to arrange for BB King and taught him the Schillinger system which has been credited with helping King's composition ability. Willie Mitchell, who lived with him in the 1940s, was also taught the Schillinger system by Horne and cited his influence in interviews throughout his life.
Horne died at age 49 on 9 February 1973.
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Important facts
People in Onzie Horne's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Onzie Horne's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Onzie Horne?
American musician (1923-1973)
When was Onzie Horne born?
Onzie Horne was born on 5 September 1923.
When did Onzie Horne die?
Onzie Horne died on 9 February 1973.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Onzie Horne. https://biography.guide/onzie-horne/
MLA: "Onzie Horne." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/onzie-horne/.
Chicago: "Onzie Horne." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/onzie-horne/.
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