In the summer of 1923, Brunswick sent a recording crew to Los Angeles where, over the course of two weeks, they recorded 15 tracks by a popular local orchestra that had made a name for itself at the Cocoanut Grove ballroom in the Ambassador Hotel. They were led by drummer Abe Lyman, originally from Chicago, who had been playing out west for a number of years.
“Weary Weazel” composed by trumpeter Ray Lopez, sounds to my ears like a loose homage to “Tiger Rag” by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, which Lopez, being a New Orleans native, was no doubt familiar with. Interesting also because Lopez was sued by ODJB after he copyrighted “Livery Stable Blues”, which ODJB had recorded but failed to secure a copyright for. Nick LaRocca is reported to have admitted in court that “Livery Stable Blues” was based on a Ray Lopez song called “More Power Blues” and the suit was dismissed.
This was only the second recording the band made – and captures the influence, vis-à-vis Ray Lopez, of early New Orleans “jass” in this Los Angeles ballroom orchestra.
Recorded in Los Angeles, California on July 27, 1923.
Released as Brunswick 2504.
Credits
Abe Lyman – drums, director
Ray Lopez, Howard Fenimore – trumpet
Orlando “Slim” Martin (or possibly Vic Smith on some of the earlier sides) – trombone
Jim Welton, Al Baker (or possibly Gus Mueller on some titles) – clarinet, alto sax
Horace “Zip” Keyes – clarinet, tenor sax
John Schonberger, Charles Kaley – violin
Gus Arnheim – piano
Charlie Pierce – banjo
Jake Garcia – tuba