Wilbur Sweatman was a talented clarinetist and composer with a long recording career spanning four decades. His first recording was made in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1903-4 for the Metropolitan Music Store and his last was made in 1935 for the Vocalion label.
Sweatman was born and raised in Missouri but began touring as a teenager in various circus bands. He worked in Minneapolis with his own dance band before moving to Chicago in 1908 and NYC in 1913, performing ragtime and early proto-jazz.
His 1916 recordings on the Emerson label are some of the earliest examples of recorded jazz – earlier even than the Original Dixieland Jazz Band’s 1917 “Livery Stable Blues”.
Though his last recording was made in 1935, Sweatman continued to perform throughout his life. He died in 1961 in New York City.
By the looks of the label, this copy certainly looks as though it has had a run-in with a battleship – but fortunately the grooves were clean as a whistle and made a splendid transfer.
Recorded in New York City on October 10, 1924.
Matrix 9781. Take B.
Released as Edison 51438.
Credits:
Wilbur Sweatman – clarinet, bass clarinet, director
John Reeves – trombone
Vess Williams – alto sax
Dan Parish – piano
Ogese T. McKay – tuba
Maceo White – drums, vocals
____ Bachlor – vocals (probably the banjoist)
Unknown Artist – cornet (2x), banjo, alto sax
Source:
Jazz and Ragtime Records (1897-1942), 6th Ed., Brian Rust
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