17 Facts About Dave Bartholomew

David Louis Bartholomew was an American musician, bandleader, composer, arranger, and record producer.

Dave Bartholomew was prominent in the music of New Orleans throughout the second half of the 20th century.

Dave Bartholomew was a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.

Dave Bartholomew was born Davis Bartholomew on December 24,1918, in Edgard, Louisiana, to Mary and Louis Bartholomew.

Dave Bartholomew learned to play his father's preferred instrument, the tuba, then took up the trumpet, taught to him by Peter Davis, who had tutored Louis Armstrong.

Around 1933, Dave Bartholomew moved with his parents to New Orleans, where he played in local jazz and brass bands, including Papa Celestin's, as well as Fats Pichon's band on a Mississippi riverboat.

Dave Bartholomew took charge of Pichon's band in 1941, and after a stay in Jimmie Lunceford's band, joined the US Army during World War II.

Dave Bartholomew developed writing and arranging skills as a member of the 196th Army Ground Forces Band.

Dave Bartholomew produced Imperial's first national hits, "3 x 7 = 21", written by him and recorded by singer Jewel King, and "The Fat Man", recorded in December 1949 by a young pianist, Fats Domino.

Dave Bartholomew was adamant as he could be about the discipline of the players.

Dave Bartholomew left Imperial after a disagreement with Chudd at the end of 1950, and for two years, he recorded for other labels, including Decca, King, and Specialty.

Domino's crossover to the pop chart came in 1955 with "Ain't That a Shame", on which Dave Bartholomew deliberately sought to make Domino's style more appealing to white record buyers.

Several of Dave Bartholomew's songs were later covered by other musicians.

Dave Bartholomew took part in Fats Domino's international tours during that period.

Dave Bartholomew was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a nonperformer in 1991, and released two further albums in that decade, Dave Bartholomew and the Maryland Jazz Band and New Orleans Big Beat, while continuing to make occasional appearances with his band at festivals.

Dave Bartholomew remained a resident of New Orleans, and celebrated his 100th birthday on Christmas Eve 2018, but plans for a celebration concert were suspended after he was hospitalized.

Dave Bartholomew died of heart failure at East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, Louisiana on June 23,2019, and was buried at St Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Gentilly.