Fred Guy

Fred Guy
New York City, c. November 1946
New York City, c. November 1946
Background information
Born(1897-05-23)May 23, 1897
Burkeville, Virginia, U.S.
DiedDecember 22, 1971(1971-12-22) (aged 74)
Chicago, Illinois
GenresJazz, swing, big band
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Guitar, banjo
Years active1924–1949

Frederick L. Guy (May 23, 1897 – December 22, 1971) was an American jazz banjo player and guitarist.

Born in Burkeville, Virginia, Guy was raised in New York City. He played guitar and banjo with Joseph C. Smith's Orchestra. In the early 1920s, Guy joined Duke Ellington's Washingtonians, switching from banjo to guitar in the early 1930s. He remained with Ellington's orchestra until 1949. He retired, moved to Chicago, and for twenty years ran a ballroom. In 1971, he committed suicide.[1]

References

  1. ^ Yanow, Scott (2013). The Great Jazz Guitarists. San Francisco: Backbeat. p. 88. ISBN 978-1-61713-023-6.