Jazz Crazy Records

An Archive of Early Jazz on 78 RPM

Tag: Isham Jones and his Orchestra

  • “With My Eyes Wide Open I’m Dreaming” – Isham Jones and his Orchestra (1934)

    “With My Eyes Wide Open I’m Dreaming” – Isham Jones and his Orchestra (1934)

    The recorded output of Isham Jones on the Victor label is known as some of the finest dance music recorded during the depths of the Great Depression.

    Jones led his band in Chicago from 1920-1927 and 1929-1932 in Chicago and recorded extensively on the Brunswick label. After regrouping in New York, Jones signed with the Victor label and recorded over 50 sides over two years, until switching to the Decca label in the summer of 1934.

    This show tune was from the film “Shoot the Works”, a Paramount comedy in which the song plays a role, sung by Dorothy Dell accompanied by the Ben Bernie orchestra. The 19-year-old Dell was tragically killed in a car accident in June of 1934 – a month before the film’s public release.

    Recorded in New York City on May 10, 1934.
    Released as Victor 24643

    Credits
    Isham Jones – leader, tenor sax
    George Thow, Johnny Carlson, Joe Hostetter – trumpet
    Mark Bennett, Russ Jenner – trombone
    Milt Yaner, Victor Hauprich – clarinet, alto sax
    Saxie Mansfield – tenor sax
    Eddie Stone – violin
    Harold Smith or James Noble – piano
    George Wartner or Jack Blanchette – guitar
    Richard Kissinger – tuba
    Walter Lageson – drums
    Joe Martin – vocals