John G. Blowers Jr. (April 21, 1911 – July 17, 2006) was an American drummer of the swing era. Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States, Blowers ("Blau-ers") learned to play percussion during his schooldays and began performing with the Bob Pope Band in 1936. Blowers attended college at Oglethorpe College, now Oglethorpe University.

In 1937, he travelled to New York City, where he found employment as a drummer in Greenwich Village. In 1938, he joined Bunny Berigan's band, and in 1942 he began performing with the up-and-coming Frank Sinatra, who asked Blowers to record with him. They performed and recorded together regularly until the 1950s. In 1947, he opened Club Blowers in the Queens district.

Johnny Blowers

In addition to Sinatra, Blowers performed with Louis Armstrong, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Sidney Bechet, Eddie Fisher, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Billie Holiday, and Mel Tormé.

Johnny Blowers

Blowers also performed in the They Might Be Giants video, "They'll Need a Crane" from the album, Lincoln.

Johnny Blowers

References

Bibliography

1911 births

2006 deaths

American jazz drummers

Oglethorpe University alumni

20th-century American drummers

American male drummers

20th-century American male musicians

American male jazz musicians

Harlem Blues and Jazz Band members