Artist Info: Fred Guy

Fred Guy (May 23, 1897, Burkesville, Georgia - December 22, 1971) was an American jazz banjo player and guitarist. Guy played with Ellington for 24 years, including his years at the Cotton Club.

Guy was raised in New York City. He played guitar and banjo with Joseph C. Smith's Orchestra, and in 1925 he joined Duke Ellington's Washingtonians, replacing Elmer Snowden.

Early on he played only banjo but in the 1930s started playing more and more guitar with the band as the rhythm section in jazz changed rapidly. [read more...]