After recording extensively and exclusively for the Okeh label from 1923-25, Bennie Moten’s Kansas City Orchestra switched to Victor in 1926. This popular side is from their first session with Victor in Chicago – recording ten sides over a two day period.
Victor talent scout Ralph Peer (who had initially worked for Okeh) was a big proponent of Moten’s band, writing in early 1927 that these first sides for Victor “the best [they] ever made.” He offered Moten an exclusive contract with Victor and signed the band. Moten and his band were featured in Victor catalogs next to white bands such as Kansas City’s own Coon-Sanders Orchestra.
Side note – after these records were released in early 1927, Moten and trombonist Thamon Hayes went into business together and opened a music store on 18th St. in downtown Kansas City that sold phonographs, sheet music, and records from the Victor, Columbia, Okeh, and Paramount labels. Now there’s a record store I would love to have been able to experience!
Aside from “South” (which continued to be pressed on 78 rpm and 45 rpm until the mid 1950s), this is probably the most plentiful Moten disc that one can find on the market today. Due to its popularity there were a lot of copies of this one pressed.
The tune features an extended banjo solo by Sam Tall accompanied by Moten on piano.
Recorded in Chicago Illinois on December 13, 1926.
Released as Victor 20485.
Credits:
Bennie Moten – piano, director
Lammar Wright – cornet
Thamon Hayes – trombone
Harlan Leonard – clarinet, alto sax
LaForest Dent – alto sax, baritone sax
Woody Walder – clarinet, tenor sax
Sam Tall – banjo
Vernon Page – tuba
Willie McWashington – drums
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