Ollie Shepard(néOliver Shepard; born July 1909, Oberlin, Louisiana, United States – 1960[1]) was an American blues pianist, vocalist, and songwriter.
Career
From about 1954 to about 1963, Shepard performed at Jerry's Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge in Oneonta, New York, at 15 Dietz Street, in the Walnut Street Historic District. The restaurant was owned by Joseph G. ("Jerry") Monser (1926–1975), who opened it on August 5, 1954. The building was demolished in July 1970 to make way for a parking lot. Mark Bresee, et al., purchased the property from Robert W. Melmer, his father, John J. Melmer, and his brother, John E. Melmer.[2]
Poet and academician Richard George Frost (born 1929) who, for a stint, had played drums with Shepard in a lounge in Oneonta described him as follows:
Ollie, who had once been a house pianist for Decca Records, was a tyrant. The arrogant cuss seemed determined to derange me. He played in a fast, galloping blues-based format that often threw me. When he believed I had lagged or faltered, he would make unpleasant faces and groan loudly at his honky drummer.[3]
Ollie Shepard (vocalist, piano), accompanied by Hot Lips Page (trumpet), Alfred Cobbs (trombone), Vincent Bey (alto and baritone sax), Buddy Tate (tenor sax), Carl "Flat Top" Wilson (bass), Clay Burt (drums)
Recorded in New York City, November 1, 1950
Okeh 6840
Side A – CO44587: "Baby Blues"
Side B – CO44588: "Don't Come Knockin' Upon My Door"
Curatorial discography (re-issues and compilations)