Jazz Crazy Records

An Archive of Early Jazz on 78 RPM

Tag: Abe Small and his Melody Boys

  • “Sister Kate” – Abe Small and his Melody Boys (1923)

    “Sister Kate” – Abe Small and his Melody Boys (1923)

    This one has been in my transfer queue for quite some time – and until recently I did not know much about Abe Small, the cornetist who led this small band. However, about six months ago jazz historian Colin Hancock (who is behind the excellent YouTube channel @Desdemona202 ) did a great writeup on Abe Small which you can read at the link below.

    A version of this tune appears in Colin’s video from a different session for the Strong label. This version with a different matrix is from a Federal session from the same month. I add it here since I don’t see it anywhere on YouTube yet. Had to pitch this one down a bit to around 75 rpm to get it in key.

    Recorded in New York City in January, 1923.
    Released as Federal 5228 (mx. 1-1647)

    If you’d like to hear the rest of Abe Small’s recorded output, be sure to watch @Desdemona202 ‘s excellent video “Abe Small–Brooklyn Cornetist (Gennett, Strong, and Federal Recordings: 1922-1923)” at:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iWnpY5TQk4