Tag: Johnny Johnson and his Statler Pennsylvanians

After discovering that the identity of “Roth’s Gang” on Challenge 747 is very likely Johnny Johnson’s band, I immediately dug out a few Johnson records from the vault and had a listen. Thought I’d share two of my favorite tracks.

The first Johnny Johnson record I posted can be found at:
https://youtu.be/Jy-iJdBJGrA

The second, a recording of the Rodgers and Hart tune “Thou Swell” (famously recorded by both Bix Beiderbecke and Jabbo Smith a few months later) features what I believe is the debut recording of trombonist Jack Teagarden. He also recorded on this same day with “Wingy” Mannone for Vocalion, however those two recordings were unissued.

Recorded in New York City on December 2, 1927.
Released as Victor 21113.

Credits:
Johnny Johnson – director, piano
Frank Cush – trumpet
Jack Teagarden – trombone
Charles Murray – clarinet, alto sax, vocals
Walter Botsford – clarinet, tenor sax
Roy Strom – violin, vocals
Sam Browne – banjo, vocals
Johnny Porpora – string bass
Bob Treaster – drums, vocals

Harry Shackleford is credited in Rust on tuba, but unless my ears are playing tricks on me, I don’t hear a tube on this one.

To hear (and read) all about Roth’s Gang and Challenge 747, get thee hence:
https://youtu.be/WdPVfPBxELk

After discovering that the identity of “Roth’s Gang” on Challenge 747 is very likely Johnny Johnson’s band, I immediately dug out a few Johnson records from the vault and had a listen. Thought I’d share two of my favorite tracks.

The first, “Together We Two” is a pleasant upbeat dance tune by Irving Berlin. I particularly enjoyed the suave trumpet of Frank Cush in the first section, the violin break at 0:49 – and the sax solos at 0:58 and in particular, 1:17, where we hear a little of the adventurousness we heard with “Roth’s Gang”. Johnny Porpora’s bass is quite refreshing also.

Throughout, the ensemble playing is excellent on this one and it made quite a nice transfer – other than some classic Victor graininess in the grooves which can make even a clean pristine record like this one sound a little noisy.

Malcolm “Johnny” Johnson was Indiana-born and is an Indiana University alum (class of 1919). He started touring with a military band and then began playing piano with the Ben Bernie orchestra. He formed his own orchestra in 1920 – their first recordings were for the Cameo label in late 1923 and featured Red Nichols on trumpet.

This is their first session for Victor – and you’ll definitely notice a huge improvement in the sound quality of this electrically recorded session from the low budget “Roth’s Gang” recording, which used the “electrosonic” process developed by Emerson in the waning days of the label.

Their real heyday was yet to come – in the 1930s they recorded quite extensively and were featured on a popular radio show on NBC.

Recorded in New York City on October 14, 1927.
Released as Victor 21016.

Credits:
Johnny Johnson – director, piano
Frank Cush – trumpet
Eddie Lappe – trombone
Charles Murray – clarinet, alto sax, vocals
Walter Botsford – clarinet, tenor sax
Roy Strom – violin, vocals
Sam Browne – banjo, vocals
Johnny Porpora – string bass
Bob Treaster – drums, vocals
Franklyn Baur – vocals

To hear (and read) all about Roth’s Gang and Challenge 747, get thee hence:
https://youtu.be/WdPVfPBxELk

The second Johnny Johnson record will be posted later today at:
https://youtu.be/OzGb7IlBla8