Campbell, Wilbur

Wilbur Campbell was born on July 29, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois. He attended DuSable High School and was a member of “Captain Walter Dyett’s Dynasty” which produced more than 200 internationally known musicians. Although he was trained on piano, vibraphone, and drums, Campbell eventually settled on the drums after a three day-long practice with legendary vibes player Milton Jackson. At the age of fifteen, Campbell played his first professional gig in a band called “Baby Band,” a band named for its young musicians. Two years later, he was featured in a Down Beat article called “Young Lion.” From 1945-1947, he served in the United States Navy.

After living in New York and traveling, Campbell settled in Chicago. In 1948, he married Osceola Simmons. As one of Chicago’s first-call drummers, he often played with Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Thelonious Monk when they performed in the city.

Campbell was active in the Jazz Institute of Chicago in various capacities, including director, vice president, and programming committees for the Jazz Express and annual Chicago Jazz Festival. He also worked for the state of Illinois as a drug counselor. In 1972, he married Valarie Thompson-Villard.

Valarie (Thompson-Villard) Campbell was born on February 19, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois. She attended Parker High School where she was the first freshman on the swim team. After high school, she married and had a son Martin Villard.

In 1967, she began work at Commonwealth Edison and retired from there in 1994. In January 1971, Valarie began studying business at Roosevelt University where she met Wilbur Campbell. After marrying in 1972, the two traveled around the world, meeting jazz musicians and making lifelong friends.

She was an ardent jewelry maker and beader. Valarie served on the board of the Bead Society of Great Chicago. In October 2007, she sent her beads and tools to South Africa with the hope of helping those struggling with HIV/AIDS.

Wilbur Campbell died on December 30, 1999. Valarie Campbell died on January 17, 2008.

From the guide to the Campbell, Wilbur and Valarie. Collection, 1958-2004, (Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.)