Ever since listening to Colin Hancock’s excellent “The Moaningest Moan of them All” CD release on Archeophone Records, I always keep an eye out for records that feature saxophonist Loren McMurray. A few months ago I was digging in a large private collection in an Iowa basement and pulled this record out. I knew McMurray had recorded with a band that began with “Eddie” but got it confused with Eddie Elkins and couldn’t remember at the time if this record featured McMurray or not.
I took a chance on it and after getting home happily discovered that both sides of this disc did indeed feature McMurray. It looked a bit worn but I think it ended up making a decent transfer.
McMurray can be heard letting loose starting at 1:56, playing hot breaks in a call and response with the band.
“Hot Lips” was a tune composed by Henry Busse in 1922 that was recorded that year by many hot dance orchestras and jazz bands such as California Ramblers, Bailey’s Lucky Seven, Paul Whiteman, Paul Specht, Synco Jazz Band, Tampa Blue Jazz Band, The Cotton Pickers, and Jazz-Bo’s Carolina Serenaders. Blues singer Lizzie Miles also performed a vocal version on OKeh.
Colin Hancock reports that this band’s lineup was essentially the Markels Orchestra under the name of their violinist, Eddie Davis.
Recorded in New York City circa September, 1922.
Released as Grey Gull 1120.
Credits:
Eddie Davis – violin, director
Loren McMurray, Gene Fosdick – alto sax
Mike Markel – piano
Unknown artists – trumpet (x2), trombone, bass sax, banjo, drums
“The Moaningest Moan of Them All: The Jazz Saxophone of Loren McMurray, 1920-1922”
https://www.archeophone.com/catalogue/loren-mcmurray-moaninest-moan/
My interview with Colin Hancock about Loren McMurray:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6WxtLP8PWM