Vance Dixon


Vance Dixon was an American musician and band leader of Chicago jazz, who was considered a novelty musician.

Early life

Vance Rayman Dixon was born on 6 August 1901 in Parkersburg, West Virginia, the son of Harrison and Belle Dixon. He was African-American.

Career

Dixon first directed the Symphonium Serenaders in the beginning of the 1920s, who were featured on radio broadcasts in as early as 1922. Later he played in the renamed Lois B. Deppe Serenaders, Sammy Stewart, Clarence M. Jones, Erskine Tate and Kline Tyndall's Paramount Serenaders.
Under his own name, first in a duo with Tyndall or Alex Channey, then with his trio Jazz Maniacs - he recorded several titles for Paramount in 1926. In 1929 he followed it up by recording with Hattie McDaniels and Frankie Jaxon as Vance Dixon and His Pencils.
In 1931 he recorded several titles for Columbia/Okeh in New York, including the humorous numbers "Laughing Stomp" and "Meat Man Pete. Dixon was involved in twelve recording sessions from 1923 to 1932. As of 1933, he played with the house band of the Brooklyn Club Casa Mia, who also included the banjoist Ikey Robinson as a member. Before Dixon disappeared from the music scene, he worked for June Clark in 1936.

Personal life

Dixon was married to Virginia Smith of Sewickley, Pennsylvania on 6 October 1930 in Chicago, Illinois. She deserted him a month later.