William Douglass was an American jazz drummer born in Sherman, Texas.
10 Facts About Bill Douglass
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2.
Bill Douglass relocated to Los Angeles when he was six months old, becoming in his adulthood a popular Los Angeles musician who worked shows and sessions.
3.
Bill Douglass was known for his work in the American Federation of Musicians, where he was an active proponent of desegregation.
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Bill Douglass held offices in local unions both before and after their racial integration.
5.
Six months after Bill Douglass was born in Sherman, Texas, his extended family relocated to Los Angeles in an effort to escape Jim Crow laws.
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Bill Douglass never took private drum lessons, but eventually made the acquaintance of Cab Calloway drummer Cozy Cole, who used to allow Bill Douglass to watch him practice.
7.
Bill Douglass learned a lot watching Cole and other drummers, who gradually helped him evolve a style of his own.
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Bill Douglass eventually began playing drums for pianist Gerald Wiggins, along with double bass and tuba player Red Callender, until he and Callender left to form a trio with blind pianist Art Tatum.
9.
Bill Douglass enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to the African-American 10th Cavalry Regiment at Camp Lockett in Campo, California, where he served along with his high-school band teacher as a member of the band.
10.
Not allowed to voice opinions at their local union from the floor, the group ran for office, succeeding well enough to take the majority position on the board of directors, though only Bill Douglass took a high position, the vice presidency.