Jazz Crazy Records

An Archive of Early Jazz on 78 RPM

Author: Professor M

  • “Black Snake Blues” – Clarence Williams’ Blue Five (1927)

    “Black Snake Blues” – Clarence Williams’ Blue Five (1927)

    One of the gems of the collection: A pristine copy of “Black Snake Blues” – one of my favorite sides by Clarence Williams’ Blue Five.

    You know I love a good Cyrus St. Clair baritone solo – and this tune starts right out with a window rattler! Ed Allen chimes in with a feisty cornet solo answered by clarinetists Arville Harris and Ben Whittet. Trombonist Charlie Irvis takes a vibrant swing at the stars during his twelve bars, followed by Ed Allen, who gives us a good talking to on the way out before Cyrus reminds us one more time why he is king of the baritone brass.

    Recorded in New York on April 14, 1927 for Okeh – the day after a session by Sylvester Weaver and right before a session by the Goofus Five. Can you imagine the Okeh studios at that time?!

    Released as Okeh 8465.

    Credits
    Ed Allen – cornet
    Charlie Irvis – trombone
    Ben Whittet – clarinet, alto sax
    Arville Harris – clarinet, alto sax or tenor sax
    Clarence Williams – piano
    Leroy Harris – banjo
    Cyrus St. Clair – baritone brass (tuba)
    Floyd Casey – drums

  • “Clarinetitis” – Benny Goodman

    “Clarinetitis” – Benny Goodman

    “Clarinetitis” written and performed by a 19-year-old Benny Goodman in June of 1928 at a Chicago recording session with Mel Stitzel on piano and Bob Conselman on drums. The sound is bright and lively on this wonderful Panachord master pressing from the UK.

    Recorded in Chicago on June 13, 1928.
    Released as Panachord 25017, Vocalion 15705, and Melotone M-12073.

    Benny Goodman – clarinet
    Mel Stitzel – piano
    Bob Conselman – drums

  • “Sugar” – Fletcher Henderson and his Orchestra (1931)

    “Sugar” – Fletcher Henderson and his Orchestra (1931)

    Recorded in New York on October 16, 1931.
    Released as Columbia 2559-D

    Credits
    Fletcher Henderson – piano, arrangement, director
    Russell Smith, Rex Stewart, Bobby Stark – trumpet
    J. C. Higginbotham – trombone
    Russell Procope – clarinet, alto sax
    Edgar Sampson – alto sax, violin
    Coleman Hawkins – tenor sax
    Clarence Holiday – guitar
    John Kirby – tuba, string bass
    Walter Johnson – drums
    Les Reis – vocals
    Archie Bleyer – arrangement

  • “Mountain Jack Blues” – Ma Rainey

    “Mountain Jack Blues” – Ma Rainey

    Ma Rainey’s “Mountain Jack Blues” begins idyllically: “Early this morning, everything was still…” But the true meaning of that seemingly pastoral moment soon is revealed as the narrator describes sadly watching her lover walk away, remembering his devastating last words to her: “I’m goin’, sweet mama, cryin’ won’t make me stay – The more you cry, the further you’ll drive me away”.

    Recorded in February 1926 in Chicago with pianist Jimmy Blythe.
    Released as Paramount 12352.

  • “Sallie Gooden” – A. C. (Eck) Robertson

    “Sallie Gooden” – A. C. (Eck) Robertson

    At a time when metropolitan record companies did not believe there was a market for the music of rural America, fiddlers Alexander Campbell (Eck) Robertson and Henry Gilliland made a trip from Texas to New York City to visit the office of Victor Talking Machine Company. After impressing Victor representatives with a short display of their skill, they returned the next day to record four sides together.

    The following day, on July 1, 1922, Robertson returned alone to record this tune: “Sallie Gooden”, which was released as Victor 18956 on September 1, 1922. The record is widely regarded as the first commercially-recorded country music record.

    Credits
    Alexander Campbell (Eck) Robertson – fiddle

    Sources:
    Library of Congress essay by Wayne Erbsen
    https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/ArkansawTraveler.pdf

  • “Tiger Rag” – Fred Elizalde and his Hot Music

    “Tiger Rag” – Fred Elizalde and his Hot Music

    In late 1927 Adrian Rollini left New York and set sail for London with trumpet player Chelsea Quealey and saxophonist Bobby Davis for a gig at the posh Savoy hotel with Fred Elizalde, a young Filipino pianist who had studied law at both Stanford and Cambridge before starting a successful run as a bandleader.

    In “Tiger Rag”, recorded in January of 1928, was from the first recording session of Elizalde’s “hot” band with the newly arrived American players.

    The first clip includes the head with vibrant ensemble playing reminiscent of the best University Six and Goofus Five records. The second clip starts with a brief piano break by Elizalde, after which we hear Davis launch into an inspired sax solo. The last clip includes Rollini rolling through a bass sax solo like a oversized load speeding through a narrow stretch of road.

    Released in the UK only as Brunswick 147. Never released in the U.S. on 78 rpm.

    Credits
    Fred Elizalde – piano
    Chelsea Quealey – trumpet
    Bobby Davis – clarinet, soprano sax, alto sax
    Adrian Rollini – bass saxophone, goofus, hot fountain pen
    Len Fillis – guitar
    Ronnie Gubertini – drums

  • “Weary Land Blues” – J. C. Higginbotham Quintet

    “Weary Land Blues” – J. C. Higginbotham Quintet

    For all who have been working hard in stressful times – pour yourself a drink, sit right down, and dig “Weary Land Blues” – the chillest cool jam from 1939 by J.C. Higginbotham Quintet on @bluenoterecords

    Featuring guitarist Teddy Bunn, pianist Albert Ammons, and trombonist J. C. Higginbotham, this quiet unassuming little improvisation slowly builds its story – and by the end leaves you wishing it wasn’t over. Certainly, at the time it was recorded, the world was about to change irrevocably.

    Bunn’s understated guitar drips with weariness yet manages to capture a feeling we’ve all felt, setting the tone for the band. Ammons shows us that a fast and loud boogie-woogie player can bring it down to a quiet whisper. Higginbotham deftly demonstrates the beauty and soul that the trombone is capable of delivering.

    Recorded in New York on April 7, 1939.
    Released as Blue Note 501 – this pressing is slightly later – probably from 1940-41.

    Credits:
    J. C. Higginbotham – trombone
    Albert Ammons – piano
    Teddy Bunn – guitar
    John Williams – bass
    Sidney Catlett – drums

  • “Groovin’ High” – Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Sextette

    “Groovin’ High” – Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Sextette

    Early Diz and Bird on the Guild label – a short-lived NYC label. In these two clips we hear the solos of Charlie Parker, Slam Stewart, Dizzy Gillespie, and Remo Palmieri.

    Recorded in New York City on February 28, 1945. Released as Guild 1001.

    Credits:
    Dizzy Gillespie – trumpet
    Charlie Parker – alto sax
    Clyde Hart – piano
    Remo Palmieri – guitar
    Slam Stewart – bass
    Cozy Cole – drums

  • “Charleston Clarinet Blues” – Three Jolly Miners (1925)

    “Charleston Clarinet Blues” – Three Jolly Miners (1925)

    The first recorded session of a trio known as Three Jolly Miners who recorded a total of sixteen sides under that name for Vocalion from 1925-26. Consisting of a clarinet, piano and banjo – it was an unconventional small combo jazz group for the time, which tended to favor large orchestras.

    Recorded in New York on March 9, 1925.
    Released as Vocalion 15009.

    Credits:
    Bob Fuller – clarinet
    Louis Hooper – piano
    Elmer Snowden – banjo

  • “Kansas City Breakdown” – Bennie Moten’s Kansas City Orchestra

    “Kansas City Breakdown” – Bennie Moten’s Kansas City Orchestra

    Fantastic performance by Bennie Moten and his KC Orchestra. Solid tuba playing in the rhythm section that is showcased quite a bit and a nice piano solo by Moten. Great ensemble playing all around in this rollicking stomp.

    Recorded in Camden, New Jersey on September 7, 1928.
    Released as Victor 21693

    Credits
    Bennie Moten – director, piano
    Ed Lewis, Booker Washington – cornet
    Thamon Hayes – trombone
    Harlan Leonard – clarinet, soprano sax, alto sax
    Jack Washington – clarinet, alto sax
    Woody Walder – clarinet, tenor sax
    Leroy Berry – banjo
    Vernon Page – tuba
    Willie McWashington – drums