Laine, Papa Jack (actually, George Vitelle)
Laine, Papa Jack (actually, George Vitelle)
Laine, Papa Jack (actually, George Vitelle), New Orleans-style jazz drummer, alto horn player, leader; b. New Orleans, Sept. 21, 1873; d. New Orleans, June 1, 1966. He played drums, brass bass, and alto horn during childhood. He formed his own ragtime band in New Orleans c. 1890. The success of his Reliance Band enabled him to form several other units bearing that name. These Reliance Bands worked throughout the Gulf Coast States during the early 1900s. In 1904 Laine led for three months in St. Louis. He retired from music in 1917 and worked at his own blacksmith’s business, and later managed a garage for many years. During the 1940s he often attended meetings of the New Orleans Jazz Club, and in the early 1960s did taped sessions with Johnny Wiggs.
—John Chilton, Who‘s Who of Jazz/Lewis Porter