A very early version of the jazz standard “Rose Room” on a very early lateral cut Gennett from the 4500 series that began in 1919.
The Rose Room was a ballroom in the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, California where bandleader Art Hickman’s dance orchestra played. Hickman wrote the tune in 1917 and it was recorded in 1918 by Prince’s Orchestra and Joseph C. Smith and his Orchestra. Hickman himself did not record it with his band until September 1919. When it was released in 1920 on the Columbia label, it was a big seller.
The 32-bar form of the song and interesting chord changes make it a treat to play – and it’s no wonder it gained wider currency as a standard in the 30s when it got reinterpreted by Duke Ellington and Charlie Christian (playing with the Benny Goodman Sextet).
Riley’s Cabaret Orchestra was a New York-based dance band about which not much is known. By my count, they were the third to record this tune.
Recorded in New York City in January 1919.
Released as Gennett 4509 in April 1919.
Credits:
Unknown Artists – trumpet, trombone, alto saxophone, violin, piano, banjo, trums