“Keep Off My Shoes” – Tampa Blue Jazz Band (1923)

32 years before Carl Perkins warned listeners to “stay off of my blue suede shoes”, tin pan alley songwriters Henry and Charles Tobias wrote “Keep Off My Shoes”. In the lyrics to this song, a woman pleads with a male partner “your dancing may be good – but my feet ain’t made of wood – so keep off my shoes!”

The tune was recorded in 1923 by Nora Bayes, Ernest Hare, Kaplan’s Melodists, and Tampa Blue Jazz Band.

Tampa Blue Jazz Band was essentially the same lineup as Joseph Samuels’ Jazz Band (also on Okeh) and the Synco Jazz Band (on Pathé).

We hear some jazzy breaks and ensemble playing in this version – Samuel’s clarinet and Hannaford’s sliding trombone are showcased.

Recorded in New York City circa March, 1923.
Released as Okeh 4816.

Credits:
Jules Levy, Jr. – cornet
Ephraim Hannaford – trombone
Joseph Samuels – clarinet, bass sax, violin
Larry Briers – piano
Unknown artist – drums