Ballard, Butch, 1918-2011

found: African American National Biography, accessed December 11, 2014, via Oxford African American Studies Center database:(Ballard, Butch; George Edward Ballard; jazz musician, drummer; born 12 December 1918 in Camden, New Jersey, United States; began taking drum lessons from Professor Coles, bandmaster of the O. V. Catto Elks Lodge, Philadelphia; formed a band called the Celebrated Youth Band/Dukes Orchestra (1938); played with Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis at Minton's Playhouse and later with the Cootie Williams's big band (1941); spent World War II with a U.S. Navy ship's company band in the South Pacific until he was honorably discharged (1945); played in Louis Armstrong's band (1946) and with the Count Basie Orchestra (1949); became the Ellington Band's main drummer (1953); led his own band in Philadelphia (1950s); was the drummer for the Philadelphia Legends of Jazz Orchestra; served as the Democratic ward leader in his district; was a neighborhood civil rights activist)

found: Wikipedia, Feb. 2, 2016(George Edward "Butch" Ballard; born December 26, 1918, Camden, N.J., died October 1, 2011, Philadelphia; American jazz drummer who during his long career played with musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Count Basie and Duke Ellington) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butch_Ballard