The Washboard Rhythm Kings were a studio band active during the heart of the Great Depression (1931-1933) made of a rotating retinue of players. As such, they went by a variety of pseudonyms, including this one: Georgia Washboard Stompers.
Here we have “Nobody’s Sweetheart”, a tune that first surfaced in 1923 in a Broadway revue played by Ted Lewis. It was covered by a number of notable jazz orchestras in the late 20s and early 30s, including Red Nichols, Paul Whiteman, Cab Calloway, and Fred Elizalde. It appeared in the Rudy Vallée film “Vagabond Lover” in 1929 and was a featured song in a Betty Boop cartoon in 1932 (sung by Ukulele Ike imatator “Red Pepper Sam”) – which also featured some scat verses.
The Washboard Rhythm Kings give it some pep straightaway, followed by a smooth trombone solo by John Haughton. Dave Page gives us the title line, followed by several crooned scat choruses. The ensemble comes back together and we hear short choruses from the saxes, clarinet, and piano. Throughout, the bass in the rhythm section keeps the joint jumpin’. Though Rust is not 100% sure if it is Ghost Howell on bass – it sure sounds like Ghost Howell to my ears!
Recorded in Camden, New Jersey on June 1, 1933.
Released as Bluebird B-5092.
Credits:
Dave Page – trumpet, vocals
John Haughton – trombone
Ben Smith – clarinet, alto sax
Jerome Carrington (?) – alto sax
Carl Wade – tenor sax
Clarence Profit (?) – piano
Steve Washington (?) – guitar
Ghost Howell (?) – string bass
Unknown Artist – washboard
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