Blind Leroy Garnett
American boogie-woogie and ragtime pianist and songwriter.
Blind Leroy Garnett was an American boogie-woogie and ragtime pianist and songwriter. He recorded two solo compositions, "Louisiana Glide" and "Chain 'Em Down", for Paramount Records. Details of his life and career remain scant.
Quick Facts
- Birth name
- Leroy Roscoe Garnett
- Born
- 6 August 1897
- Birthplace
- Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
- Died
- 3 January 1933
- Place of death
- Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Instrument
- Piano
- Genre
- Boogie-woogie, ragtime
- Occupation
- Pianist, songwriter
Facts from the source article.
Life and career
Garnett was born in Indianapolis to Charles and Mattie Garnett, both from Kentucky. By 1910 his family had moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he lived until at least 1930. In 1918 he was described as a short, stout, totally blind piano player who was not employed. His style blended boogie-woogie and ragtime, often called barrelhouse; "Louisiana Glide" was noted for melodic treble work with a driving boogie-type bass. He recorded eight tracks for Paramount Records in 1929 and 1930, including two piano solos and six backing James "Boodle It" Wiggins and Marie Griffin. Two sides with Wiggins were cut in Richmond, Virginia, in October 1929. Garnett and Wiggins worked together around East Chicago; Wiggins sang about this on "Shave 'Em Dry", later made more notorious by Lucille Bogan in 1935. Garnett died of an intracerebral hemorrhage at Cook County Hospital, Chicago, in January 1933, aged 35. He was buried in Burr Oak Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois; the Killer Blues Headstone Project placed a headstone there in 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Blind Leroy Garnett born?
Blind Leroy Garnett was born on 6 August 1897 in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
When did Blind Leroy Garnett die?
Blind Leroy Garnett died on 3 January 1933 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
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