Van Eps, Fred
(1878–1960)
Van Eps, Fred (30 Dec 1878–22 Nov 1960) American banjoist; his name spelled at first Van Epps, then with one “p.” He learned to play by listening to Vess Ossman on wax cylinders, and later had the satisfaction of remaking nearly all the Ossman records for Victor. He was a great success as soloist (George Gershwin was one of his accompanists), and with ensembles of his own devising, the Van Eps Trio (he and his brother William on banjos, with Felix Arndt at the piano—later replaced by Frank E…