Harry Prather

Early jazz tubaist and bassist, born 1906 in Cuthbert, Georgia. Began playing tuba in c. 1920, recorded with Jelly Roll Morton in 1929 and with Taylor's Dixie Orchestra 1931, changed to bass in 1933, moved to Chicago, worked with Punch Miller and Albert Wynn, then to New York in 1937. Played with Sidney Bechet, Frank Newton, and others. With Leon Abbey's Orchestra in 1941 and from 1945. Freelanced in Canada early 1950s, then regularly in group backing The Ink Spots.