Jazz Crazy Records

An Archive of Early Jazz on 78 RPM

Author: Professor M

  • “Hetzaz Taxim” – Athanasiou Makedonas (1919)

    “Hetzaz Taxim” – Athanasiou Makedonas (1919)

    Violin Solo by Greek violinist Athanasiou Makedonas
    Recorded in New York, NY ca. August 1919.

    Released as Columbia E-4878
    Matrix 85380-1

  • “Jet Black Blues” – Blind Willie Dunn’s Gin Bottle Four (1929)

    “Jet Black Blues” – Blind Willie Dunn’s Gin Bottle Four (1929)

    It’s amazing that these jazz giants were all in the studio together!

    Recorded in New York on May 1, 1929.
    Released in the U.K. as Columbia D.B. 3440

    Credits
    Eddie Lang – guitar
    Lonnie Johnson – guitar
    King Oliver – cornet
    Claud Hopkins – piano
    Hoagy Carmichael – percussion, vocal

  • Νίκος Καρακώστας – “Στου Παπαλάμπρου Την Αυλή” – Greek Clarinet (1935)

    Νίκος Καρακώστας – “Στου Παπαλάμπρου Την Αυλή” – Greek Clarinet (1935)

    Νίκος Καρακώστας (Nikos Karakostas)
    “Στου Παπαλάμπρου Την Αυλή” (“In Papalambrou’s Yard”)
    Clarinet with accompaniment
    Recorded circa 1935
    Released as Columbia 7091-F

  • “Tremolo Study” – Andrés Segovia (1927)

    “Tremolo Study” – Andrés Segovia (1927)

    Many jazz guitarists from Eddie Lang to Charlie Byrd were inspired by Spanish guitarist Andrés Segovia, who helped establish the guitar as a solo instrument capable of much more than rhythmic accompaniment.

    This beautiful recording was made less than a year before his American performance debut at New York’s Town Hall on January 8, 1928.

    Recorded in London on May 20, 1927.
    Released as Victrola 6767.

  • “Wildflower Rag” – Clarence Williams and his Orchestra (1928)

    “Wildflower Rag” – Clarence Williams and his Orchestra (1928)

    Clarence Williams recorded this snappy take of “Wildflower Rag” in an inspired session from November of 1928 that included King Oliver on cornet. Originally released on the scarce QRS label.

    This unofficial dubbed release on the Jazz Collector label is from the late 1940s. Unlike the credits on this label, both Brian Rust and Tom Lord show Ed Cuffee, Arville Harris, and Leroy Harris on this session.

    Credits:
    Ed Allen, King Oliver – cornet
    Ed Cuffee – trombone
    Arville Harris – clarinet, alto sax
    Ben Waters – clarinet, tenor sax
    Clarence Williams -piano
    Leroy Harris – banjo
    Cyrus St.Clair – tuba

  • “Zombie” – Gene Kardos and his Orchestra (1934)

    “Zombie” – Gene Kardos and his Orchestra (1934)

    When jazz goes goth: “Zombie” by Gene Kardos and his Orchestra. Inspired by a Bela Lugosi film. Put this on the Halloween playlist.

    Recorded in New York, NY on June 26, 1934.
    Released as Banner 33114.

  • “Jay Jay” – J.J. Johnson’s Be Boppers (1946)

    “Jay Jay” – J.J. Johnson’s Be Boppers (1946)

    “Jay Jay” by J. J. Johnson’s Be-Boppers features a young Bud Powell on piano, Cecil Payne on alto sax, and Max Roach on drums.

    Recorded on June 26, 1946.

  • “Chinese One-Step, Part I” (雙飛蝴蝶) – Chinese Novelty Orchestra (1919)

    “Chinese One-Step, Part I” (雙飛蝴蝶) – Chinese Novelty Orchestra (1919)

    雙飛蝴蝶 = “Two Butterflies Flying Together”
    Cantonese Opera interlude.
    No performer is listed.
    Likely recorded in NYC in November of 1919.
    Released as Columbia E4506.

  • “Tin Roof Blues” [Take B] – New Orleans Rhythm Kings (1923)

    “Tin Roof Blues” [Take B] – New Orleans Rhythm Kings (1923)

    One of the classics of early jazz by the New Orleans Rhythm Kings, also known as Friar’s Society Orchestra.

    Leon Roppolo’s “spectral” clarinet solo is particularly noteworthy due to its ghostly timbre and expressive vibrato.

    Recorded in Richmond, Indiana on March 13, 1923.
    Released as Gennett 5105

    Credits
    Paul Mares – cornet
    George Brunies – trombone
    Leon Roppolo – clarinet
    Mel Stitzel – piano
    Ben Pollack – drums

  • “Memphis Bound” – Fletcher Henderson and his Orchestra f/ Louis Armstrong (1925)

    “Memphis Bound” – Fletcher Henderson and his Orchestra f/ Louis Armstrong (1925)

    In the winter of 1924-25, Sam Lanin and Fletcher Henderson were the house bands at the Roseland in NYC, playing every evening. Lanin’s band featured Trumpet player Red Nichols and Henderson’s band showcased the talents of a hot trumpet player from New Orleans by way of Chicago: Louis Armstrong.

    In April of 1925, Howard Scott was replaced by Joe Smith on trumpet in Fletcher’s band – and he can also be heard soloing at the end of “Memphis Bound”.

    The tune starts with Armstrong leading us off, Coleman Hawkins steps in with a wonderful bass sax solo followed by a piano break by Henderson and ending with Joe Smith taking us out with a trumpet solo.

    Recorded in New York on April 18, 1925.
    Released as Vocalion 15030.

    Fletcher Henderson – director, piano
    Louis Armstrong, Elmer Chambers, Joe Smith – trumpet
    Charlie Green – trombone
    Buster Bailey, Don Redman – clarinet, alto sax
    Coleman Hawkins – clarinet, tenor sax, bass sax
    Charlie Dixon – banjo
    Ralph Escudero – baritone brass
    Kaiser Marshall – drums