Jazz Crazy Records

An Archive of Early Jazz on 78 RPM

Author: Professor M

  • “Talking to Myself” – Varsity Eight (1924)

    “Talking to Myself” – Varsity Eight (1924)

    Varsity Eight was one of several “band-within-a-band” ensembles made up of members of the California Ramblers. The concept was simple: form a small combo from a larger dance orchestra and record them playing jazzier numbers with more playing time for individual soloists and experimentation with novelty instruments such as the kazoo or the goofus.

    Richard Sudhalter, in his book Lost Chords, writes: “…small groups from the personnel, recording for minor labels… could afford a looser, more relaxed approach. Small labels, with small budgets, small distribution and sales expectations, seemed less subject to the constraints governing major-label policy. The resultant small-band performances, infrequently reissued and hard to find, are the real key to understanding the Ramblers in 1920s hot music.”

    Varsity Eight recorded extensively for the Cameo label from 1923-28. Some titles were also released on the Lincoln and Romeo labels. This lineup features Jimmy Dorsey – who replaced Bobby Davis on alto sax and clarinet in the Sept-Oct 1924 V8 recordings.

    This jaunty number opens with Bill Moore’s trumpet leading the way. The alto sax figures prominently – and I believe the solos are Dorsey. Rollini gets a bass sax showcase, accompanied by Dorsey’s clarinet.

    0:00 Intro (trumpet)
    0:24 Intro (reeds)
    1:02 Trumpet (Moore)
    1:38 Sax (Dorsey?)
    2:18 Bass sax and clarinet (Rollini and Dorsey)
    2:38 Coda

    Enjoy!

    Recorded in New York City on October 3, 1924.
    Released as Cameo 620.

    Credits:
    Bill Moore – trumpet
    Lloyd “Ole” Olsen – trombone
    Jimmy Dorsey, Arnold Brilhart – clarinet, alto sax
    Freddy Cusick – tenor sax
    Adrian Rollini – bass sax
    Irving Brodsky – piano, arranger
    Ray Kitchingman – banjo
    Stan King – drums

  • “Blue Evening Blues” – Fry’s Million Dollar Pier Orchestra (1924)

    “Blue Evening Blues” – Fry’s Million Dollar Pier Orchestra (1924)

    Here’s a treat – a jazz record from 1924 on Edison Records – which could hold more music than a standard 78 rpm shellac disc. This tune clocks out at over four minutes and ten seconds!

    If you’re a frequent 78 listener, around the 3 minute mark you’ll have to resist the urge to get up to flip the record.

    Some fun doo-wacka-doo sections, a piano solo at 1:44, a sax solo at 2:08, a muted trumpet solo at 2:31, and a clarinet solo at 3:17 round things out to make this blue evening blues quite a cheerful number.

    Recorded in New York City on September 15, 1924.
    Released as Edison 51406.

    Credits:
    Charlie Fry – alto sax, violin, director
    Julian Kurtzman, Theo Wohleben – trumpet
    Ben Morgan – trombone
    Ray Thwaite, Oscar Moldaur – clarinet, soprano sax, alto sax
    John Baviton – clarinet, tenor sax
    Ray Allen – piano
    Frank Kriell – banjo
    Herman Schmidt – tuba
    Fred Niehardt – drums

  • “Endurance Stomp” – State Street Ramblers (1928)

    “Endurance Stomp” – State Street Ramblers (1928)

    The State Street Ramblers is a name given to three different ensembles that recorded 1927-31. The one consistent member was pianist Jimmy Blythe.

    The first iteration included Johnny Dodds and recorded for Gennett in 1927-28. The third iteration featured trombonist Roy Palmer and recorded for the Champion label in 1931. This, the second iteration, was made up of a collection of players centered around Blythe and frequent collaborator W.E. Burton.

    Endurance Stomp is a rollicking number that exudes optimism and shouts encouraging blandishments to keep the energy high and solos flowing. You can’t help but have a ball listening to it!

    In this Decca reissue from the late 1930s, the alias “Blue Jay Boys” is used.

    Recorded in Richmond, Indiana on July 18, 1928.
    Originally released as Gennett 6552, Champion 15615 and 40025.
    Reissued in the late 1930s as Decca 7224.

    Credits:
    Baldy McDonald – clarinet
    unknown white teenager – alto sax
    W. E. Burton – kazoo, vocals
    Jimmy Blythe – piano
    Bill Johnson – string bass
    Cliff Jones – drums, vocals

  • “I’ve Got My Habits On” – Selvin’s Dance Orchestra (1921)

    “I’ve Got My Habits On” – Selvin’s Dance Orchestra (1921)

    A peppy early dance number composed by Jimmy Durante, “I’ve Got My Habits On”, as recorded by Ben Selvin’s Dance Orchestra in late 1921.

    The vocalist is not officially identified – though it’s been attributed to Selvin himself. Also – I’m not convinced Loren McMurray can be heard on this one.

    Lots of trombone glissandos throughout and a rollicking piano solo at 1:42 give it the jazzy flava that earned it a place in Rust’s Jazz Records discography.

    Recorded in New York City on November 16, 1921.
    Released as Vocalion 14277.

    Credits:
    Ben Selvin – violin, director, vocalist?
    Jules Levy, Jr. or Harry Gluck, Hymie Farberman – trumpet
    Ephraim Hannaford – trombone
    Loren McMurray (?), Bernie Daly (?) – soprano sax, alto sax
    Joe Winshup – tenor sax
    Norman Spencer – piano
    John Cali – banjo
    John Helleberg – tuba
    Milton Sands – tuba

    Sources:
    Jazz and Ragtime Records (1897-1942), 6th Ed., Brian Rust

  • “When” – Cleo Brown (1935)

    “When” – Cleo Brown (1935)

    When you listen to a lot of 78s, you inevitably just stumble upon performers you might otherwise never have heard. Though Cleo Brown’s prewar recordings are limited to a handful of sides for Decca in 1935-36, her piano stylings and iconic voice turn one into an immediate fan.

    “When” is a pleasant little tune that will set you adoringly, at the feet of Ms. Brown as she croons so cajolingly.

    Fun fact: Fans of 20s jazz will recognize the legendary Vic Berton sitting in on drums.

    Recorded in Los Angeles, California on November 20, 1935.
    Released as Decca 632.

    Credits:
    Cleo Brown – vocals, piano
    Bobby Sherwood – guitar
    Manny Stein – string bass
    Vic Berton – drums

  • “Runnin’ Wild” – Benny Goodman Quartet (1937)

    “Runnin’ Wild” – Benny Goodman Quartet (1937)

    Starting in 1936, Benny Goodman began recording sessions with trios, quartets, and sextets in various configurations – often involving some combination of pianist Teddy Wilson, drummer Gene Krupa, and vibes player Lionel Hampton. These sessions produced some excellent records of small combo jazz that are among my favorites.

    Recorded in New York City on February 3, 1937.
    Released as Victor 25529.

    Credits:
    Benny Goodman – clarinet, director
    Teddy Wilson – piano
    Lionel Hampton – vibes
    Gene Krupa – drums

  • “सिंधु भैरवी” – Ravi Shankar & Ali Akbar Khan (~1956)

    “सिंधु भैरवी” – Ravi Shankar & Ali Akbar Khan (~1956)

    Sindhu Bhairavi (सिंधु भैरवी) is a warmly expressive and emotionally rich rāga often played at the end of concerts as a kind of grand finale.

    Released as His Master’s Voice N.87538
    Matrix OJE. 8500

    Credits:
    Ravi Shankar – sitar
    Ustad Ali Akbar Khan – sarod
    Kanai Dutta – tabla

  • “सारंग” – Ravi Shankar & Ali Akbar Khan (~1956)

    “सारंग” – Ravi Shankar & Ali Akbar Khan (~1956)

    Sārang (सारंग) is a bright luminous rāga associated with midday. It has a clear and open feel, evoking daylight and expansive natural environments.

    The short timeframe of a 78 rpm record does not allow for the full thematic development of the rāga – so what we get is a tightly compressed summarized form. When Ravi Shankar recorded on LP starting in 1957 with “Music of India”, he would be able to expand these ragas to their natural length, and it was common for a single rāga to take an entire side of an LP.

    I am not confident of this recording year – but it was in the mid 1950s to be sure.

    Interestingly, Ravi Shankar’s debut recording was not as a virtuoso sitar player, but as a member of an Indian ensemble led by his brother, Uday. They recorded in NYC in 1937. Shankar (going by his full first name Ravindra) was a dancer in the group and played esraj.

    Released as His Master’s Voice N.87538
    Matrix OJE. 8537

    Credits:
    Ravi Shankar – sitar
    Ustad Ali Akbar Khan – sarod
    Kanai Dutta – tabla

  • “Saturday Night Blues” – Sidney Bechet’s Blue Note Quartet (1940)

    “Saturday Night Blues” – Sidney Bechet’s Blue Note Quartet (1940)

    An early Blue Note 78 by the legendary Sidney Bechet, performing a chill blues perfect for a melancholic last call late on Saturday night.

    Blue note said of the tune: “Bechet’s charged but restrained melodic line reaches an unprecedented artistic summit. Collaborating with Bechet is a rhythm section of unparalleled distinction – Teddy Bunn, whom the famous French critic, Panassie, calls ‘the world’s greatest guitarist’; and George ‘Pop’ Foster and Sidney Catlett, celebrated bassist and drummer respectively of Louis Armstrong’s orchestra.”

    The label notes the performance is an improvisation, and one imagines a late night jam session on an easy blues. Alas, March 27, 1940 was a Wednesday night so the illusion is spoilt. But as we listen, it ceases to matter: Bechet and company take us there regardless.

    Hope your Saturday night is not blue – but if it is, here is the remedy. 💙

    Recorded at Reeves Sound Studios, NYC, on March 27, 1940.
    Released as Blue Note 502.

    Credits:
    Sidney Bechet – clarinet
    Teddy Bunn – guitar
    George “Pop” Foster – bass
    Sidney Catlett – drums

  • “Walking The Floor Over You / Big Chief Buffalo Nickel” – Louise & Skinny Matthews (1942)

    “Walking The Floor Over You / Big Chief Buffalo Nickel” – Louise & Skinny Matthews (1942)

    Found in the basement of a bar in Reinbeck Iowa – a home recording of Louise and Skinny Matthews, two performing artists recording in 1942.

    These Recordio discs were sold as blanks – and with the help of a special cutting turntable you could cut your own records. These discs are quite fragile – with a cardboard core and a thin layer of material that can flake off if you look at it funny.

    They are not professional quality – and so prepare for a lo-fi experience with plenty of surface noise. I did my best to improve the sound, but these discs were not known for their high fidelity.

    But how cool is this – the only recording of these two artists in existence!

    The first track is a cover of Ernest Tubbs’ “Walking the Floor Over You”, which had just come out in 1941 and was a big hit – selling over a million copies. Both Louise and Skinny sing together on this one.

    The second track is an old Jimmie Rogers tune which he originally recorded as “Desert Blues” in 1929. It is here presented as “Big Chief Buffalo Nickel” from a line in the lyrics. Skinny takes this one solo. I’m wondering if he was the guitar player on both tracks?

    I was not able to find much out about these two – a local newspaper in Washington, Iowa mentions a local named Skinny Matthews in a few articles in 1938. It’d be kind of cool if the ancestors of Skinny and Louise found this video and could tell us more about them!

    Recorded on July 23, 1942 somewhere in (presumably) Iowa.

    Credits:
    Skinny Matthews – vocals, guitar (?)
    Louise Matthews – vocals