Joe “Papoose” Fritz (November 13, 1924 – 12 June 1983) was a blues saxophonist.
Joseph Fritz Jr. was born in Houston. He allegedly earned his nickname "Papoose" because he thought he might have some Native American in him. His whereabouts and early life are somewhat of a mystery, although it is known he was on the road and in studios following big Texas blues names like Junior Parker, Huey Smith and Albert Collins, learning the performance side of the music business.
Splitting his time between playing the saxophone onstage and in the studio as well as singing in front of his own band, his reputation grew among blues fans and fellow musicians. Sometime in the 40s he was drafted into the Navy to fight in World War II, and he left the service as a Steward 3rd Class.
Back on the road in Texas, he recorded more than twenty tracks under his own name for labels Modern, Sittin' In With, Peacock or Jet Stream from 1950 to the late 1960's. Hid did manage a top 10 R&B hit in 1950 with “I Love You My Darlin’”
He died on 12 June 1983 and is buried in Houston Cemetery.
(Edited from The Texas Underground)