Born in 1917, Morgan was a pioneer in slow speed drumming specializing in waltzes and 3 measure ostinatos. He got the nickname "Turtle" while playing the Blue Ridge circuit with the Stan Jenkins Aristocracy in the late 30's. Seems he couldn't find the right sticks for the song being played and by the time he did, the song was over and all he could add was a cymbal crash. One of the bandmates yelled "Nice job, but slower than a turtle." From that night forward, "Turtle" Morgan purposely played no more than 10 beats per minute, no matter what the tempo and slowly developed the reputation as the slowest drummer in modern music. It's said that many times he played with only one hand, leaving his other free for combing his hair, smoking a cigarette, or just plain resting his chin on his palm. "Turtle" passed on March 15th at his desert home in Tortuga Arizona. His final words to family and friends, "It's been a long 98 years!"
R.I.P. James "Turtle" Morgan
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