Fred Hamm
Fred Hamm | |
|---|---|
| Born | Frederick Finley Hamm September 7, 1887 New Point, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | July 14, 1931 (aged 43) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Resting place | Mount Mora Cemetery, St. Joseph, Missouri |
| Alma mater | University of North Carolina |
| Occupations | Bandleader, arranger |
| Years active | 1916 – 1930 |
| Known for | "Bye Bye Blues" |
| Spouse(s) | Irene Hastings (m. 1920) |
| Children | 2 |
Frederick Finley Hamm[1] (September 7, 1887 – July 14, 1931) was an American jazz bandleader, arranger, cornetist, singer, and songwriter, perhaps best remembered as co-writer of the song "Bye Bye Blues".
Early life and career
Born on September 7, 1887, in New Point, Missouri,[2] Hamm was the son of Mary (née Thorpe) and Belden Hamm.[3] After his father's death in 1892, the family moved to nearby Oregon, where, as early as June 1896, the then 8-year-old Hamm's vocal skills,—on display during the annual observation of Children's Day at a local church—were duly noted by the Holt County Sentinel.
We would be pleased to give the program were it not so long. We will content ourselves, however, by mentioning some of the features, which were Master Fred Hamm's tenor, showing that he possesses a magnificent voice for so young a child, [and especially] Hamm's solo, 'Don't Sell Him Another Drink.'[4]
In 1918, Hamm graduated from Oregon High School.[5]
In 1925 he took over the leadership of the Benson Orchestra (founded by Edgar Benson). He sang and played the cornet. Among the members of his band were Dave Bennett (who played clarinet and alto saxophone), Chauncey Gray (piano), and Bert Lown (violin). With Bennett, he co-wrote "Bye Bye Blues" in early 1925.[6]
Personal life
In 1920, Hamm was married in Chicago to Mrs. Irene Laura Cook (née Hastings), with whom he had two children, both sons.[2]
On Wednesday, June 14, 1931, following an illness of approximately five months, Hamm, aged 43, died at his home in Chicago.[7] In accordance with his wishes, Hamm's remains are interred at Mount Mora Cemetery, alongside those of his mother.[2]
References
- ^ "THESE TO KELLY FIELD; County Draft Board Selects Men for Entrainment". St. Joseph News-Press. November 6, 1918. p. 3. Retrieved June 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
Frederick Finley Hamm, 626 North Ninth street, just recovering from influenza, will leave this afternoon for Camp Bowle, Fort Worth, Texas. Hamm is a well known musician, whose band gave concerts in the city parks last summer. Musicians are greatly needed in the army and he expects to soon be in charge of a band.
- ^ a b c "Society: HAMM". The Holt County Sentinel. July 24, 1931. p. 5. Retrieved June 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
Fred Hamm, son of the late Belden and Mary Hamm, was born September 7, 1887, at New Point, Mo. After the death of his father in 1892 the family moved to Oregon where Fred attended school, and graduated from the high school in 1908. Shortly after his graduation, he went to Joseph, where he was active in musical circles. After the death of his mother in 1916, Mr. Hamm removed to Chicago where he achieved success as an orchestra leader. Mr. Hamm was married to Mrs. Irene Cook of Chicago in 1920. He died at his home in Chicago July 14, 1931 after a prolonged illness. He is survived by his widow; two sons, Jack and Fred Jr.; and one brother, A. C. Hamm of St. Joseph. One brother, Grover Hamm, preceded him in death. The body was brought to St. Joseph where services were held July 17 at the Masonic Temple by Dr. C. M. Chilton. Interment was in Mount Mora Cemetery by the side of his mother, according to his request. Services at the cemetery were in charge of the Masonic order.
- ^ "Death of Mrs. Hamm". The Holt County Sentinel. April 28, 1916. p. 8. Retrieved June 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
The death of Mrs. Mary Hamm, which occurred at her home in St. Joseph, Friday last week, April 21, brought keen sorrow to a large circle of relatives and friends in this county: She grew to womanhood in Hickand township, where she became widow of Belden Hamm in Aug 1, 1892, being left with three young sons, [...] Prior to her marriage, she was Mary A. Thorpe [...] She survived by her three sons, Coleman, Fred and Grover; [...] The body was placed in a vault in the Mount Mora Cemetery, in St. Joseph.
- ^ "Children's Day at New Point". The Holt County Sentinel. April 28, 1896. p. 8. Retrieved June 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
We would be pleased to give the program were it not so long. We will content ourselves, however, by mentioning some of the features, which were Master Fred Hamm's tenor, showing that he possesses a magnificent voice for so young a child; a drill and exercise by six small boys entitled, 'Battle of Life,' and Master Fred Hamm's solo, 'Don't Sell Him Another Drink.'
- ^ "OREGON, ONWARD AND UPWARD; The Annual Graduating Exercises of the Oregon High School - A Class of Twelve Graduates to Receive Diplomas". The Holt County Sentinel. May 29, 1908. p. 1. Retrieved June 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
THE CLASS OF '08: [...] Lower row—from left to right—Fred Hamm; Jesse Cain; Louis Pinketon; Ray Sterenson: Charles Huntsman. [...] Saturday evening the students of the High school put upon the stage at the opera house, 'Border Land,' a pleasing at is drama, with the following cast: Jack Ralston, guide & scout – Louie Pinkston; Joe Dempsy, alias Baron Hereford – Ray Stevenson, Hon. Patrick Fadelle, a New York Politician – Jesse Cain; Mr. Lester, Banker – Fred Hamm
- ^ Paymer, Marvin E. (1999). Sentimental Journey: Itimate Portraits of America's Great Popular Songs 1920–1945. Darien, CT: Two Bytes Publishing. p. 182. ISBN 1-881907-09-0.
- ^ "LOCAL HOTEL NOTES". National Hotel Reporter. November 6, 1918. p. 3. Retrieved June 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
Fred Hamm, noted orchestra leader and one or the pioneer radio entertainers of Chicago, died Wednesday at his home, 1221 Greenleaf avenue. He had been ill five months.