The last of four sides recorded by Chicago blues vocalist Callie Vassar for Gennett at a single session in 1923 with New Orleans jazz pianist Richard M. Jones (his debut recording at that).
Record companies began recording blues artists in 1921 with Mamie Smith’s hit for Okeh, “Crazy Blues”. Okeh cranked out blues records on their 8000 series throughout 1921-22. A second wave began when Columbia signed Bessie Smith and her recording of “Downhearted Blues” became a huge seller in early 1923.
Gennett began recording blues artists of its own in March of 1923 when it began recording vocalist Viola McCoy. This was followed by sessions with Sammie Lewis and Mandy Randolph in April and Callie Vassar at the end of May. Jones was working out of Chicago and I am guessing that Vassar must have been performing there as well.
“Original Stomps” is a Richard M. Jones original composition – co-credited to Dave Peyton – and Jones plays the introduction and a middle solo. He would later re-record it with vocalist Thelma La Vizzo as “The Stomps” for Paramount in 1924.
Music publisher Melrose featured Vassar on the cover of the sheet music for “All Night Blues” (another Jones composition that Vassar recorded at this session). It is the only known photo of her. Gennett featured both Vassar and Jones with photographs in their 1924 catalog. Despite this, sales of the Vassar records were not strong.
She never recorded again.
Recorded in Richmond, Indiana on May 31, 1923.
Released as Gennett 5173.
Credits:
Callie Vassar – vocals
Richard M. Jones – piano
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