Tag: Tampa Blue Jazz Band

Here we have a composition by Elmer Schoebel recorded as a novelty number by Tampa Blue Jazz Band. The train conductor’s voice at the beginning of the recording is not identified.

The song was recorded by many bands in 1923, including Original Memphis Five, Frank Westphal’s Orchestra, Lanin’s Roseland Orchestra, and Ben Bernie’s Orchestra.

Tampa Blue Jazz Band was essentially the same lineup as Joseph Samuels’ Jazz Band and the Synco Jazz Band (on Pathé).

We hear a trombone solo starting at 1:26 followed by Levy on cornet (mostly playing it straight) starting at 1:44 and Samuels on clarinet at 2:12. Some delightful ensemble playing rounds out the tune. A train whistle is heard throughout, punctuating the air above the music.

Recorded in New York City circa March, 1923.
Released as Okeh 4816.

Credits:
Jules Levy, Jr. – cornet
Ephraim Hannaford – trombone
Joseph Samuels – clarinet, bass sax, violin
Larry Briers – piano
Unknown artist – drums, train whistle

32 years before Carl Perkins warned listeners to “stay off of my blue suede shoes”, tin pan alley songwriters Henry and Charles Tobias wrote “Keep Off My Shoes”. In the lyrics to this song, a woman pleads with a male partner “your dancing may be good – but my feet ain’t made of wood – so keep off my shoes!”

The tune was recorded in 1923 by Nora Bayes, Ernest Hare, Kaplan’s Melodists, and Tampa Blue Jazz Band.

Tampa Blue Jazz Band was essentially the same lineup as Joseph Samuels’ Jazz Band (also on Okeh) and the Synco Jazz Band (on Pathé).

We hear some jazzy breaks and ensemble playing in this version – Samuel’s clarinet and Hannaford’s sliding trombone are showcased.

Recorded in New York City circa March, 1923.
Released as Okeh 4816.

Credits:
Jules Levy, Jr. – cornet
Ephraim Hannaford – trombone
Joseph Samuels – clarinet, bass sax, violin
Larry Briers – piano
Unknown artist – drums