About Sandy Block
Lived 1917 – 1985 (aged 68). Sandy Block was an American jazz musician.
Sandy Block, also credited as Sid Block (January 16, 1917 – October 1985) was an American jazz bassist.
Early life Block played violin as a child, and grew up in Cleveland and Brooklyn. He picked up bass in high school and worked professionally in big bands from the late 1930s.
Career Block worked with Van Alexander, Chick Webb, Alvino Rey, and Tommy Dorsey and recorded with Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. He played with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie on one of the few television appearances left of Parker.
After the 1950s, Block worked extensively as a studio musician, including for folk ensembles such as The Greenbriar Boys. He played with Jimmy McPartland and Johnny Costa, but went into semi-retirement after the 1960s.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Sandy Block's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Sandy Block's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Sandy Block?
American musician
When was Sandy Block born?
Sandy Block was born on 16 January 1917 in Cleveland, Ohio.
When did Sandy Block die?
Sandy Block died on 1 October 1985.
What was Sandy Block's occupation?
Sandy Block was a jazz musician.
What nationality was Sandy Block?
Sandy Block was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Sandy Block. https://biography.guide/sandy-block/
MLA: "Sandy Block." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/sandy-block/.
Chicago: "Sandy Block." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/sandy-block/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:07 UTC