De Priest Wheeler

A trombonist best known for his work with Cab Calloway, Wheeler worked with Dave Lewis (an early Kansas City band leader) and toured with a circus band prior to 1922. In 1923 he joined St. Louis-based violinist Wilson Robinson's Syncopators; the band moved to New York and became Andy Preer And His Cotton Club Orchestra. Preer died and the band changed its name once again, becoming the Missourians. Calloway joined as singer in 1928 and by 1930 had taken over leadership. Wheeler stayed with the band in all its incarnations until 1940, then ceased working as a full-time musician. ~ Chris Kelsey