A very short-lived band that only recorded two sides.
According to Banjo player Lesley Corley, Jelly Roll Morton took over Louis Taylor’s band in Chicago, “dispensed with the pianist”, and took them on tour, which Lesley (who was still in high school) skipped a term in order to complete.
On that tour, trumpet player Punch Miller had “a little disturbance” and was left behind in Ohio. When they returned they recorded two sides with singer Frances Hereford – who Walter Thomas says Jelly picked up in Chicago.
A week later the Baltimore Afro-American reported this group planned to head to Los Angeles for a 40 week engagement at the Orpheum Circuit. However, for unknown reasons the band broke up – with Lesley returning to finish high school and Jelly Roll leaving for New York City, where he recorded with Johnny Dunn in March of 1928.
Despite the breakup, the record was released by Vocalion in May. An ad in the May 5 Chicago Defender announced: “Just bend your ear to this tantalizing slow fox-trot and you’ll say ‘Mr. Jelly Lord’ is one of the best dance numbers you’ve ever heard. Some tune! Some Rhythm! And the Levee Serenaders play it in a way that will make you dance, whether you want to or not.”
Recorded in Chicago, Illinois on January 21, 1928.
Originally released as Vocalion 1154. Here reissued in the U.K. on Vocalion’s “Origins of Jazz” series from 1952.
Credits:
Jelly Roll Morton – piano
Edwin Swayzee – trumpet
Walter Thomas – clarinet
Louis Taylor – trombone
Hayes Alvis – tuba
Lesley Corley – banjo
Wallace Bishop – drums
Frances Hereford – vocals
Source: Mr. Jelly Lord by Laurie Wright, Storyville Publications, 1980 pp 50 – 53.
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