Walter Blythe
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Walter H. Blythe (born 1904 in Birmingham) was a bassist, tuba player, and bandleader.
Blythe attended Industrial High School and played tuba for Fess Whatley's Jazz Demons and Saxo Society Orchestra. He also performed with several theater bands.
In 1926 he organized the first band program at Councill Elementary School, where he taught Fred Averyette, Rushton Miller, Lee Myer Sanfield, Hugh Lee Smith, James Holloway, Albert Killian and Roosevelt Teddy Smith. Parker often came to check on the band's progress. At that time Blythe resided at 4622 2nd Avenue North.
Blythe was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in 1980.
References
- "Ensley News" (March 24, 1956) Huntsville Mirror