Tag: Ted Lewis and his Band

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a jazzy holiday courtesy of Ted Lewis and his Band.

Recorded in New York City on April 3, 1928.
Released as Columbia 1525-D.

Credits:
Ted Lewis – clarinet, alto sax, director, vocals
Walter Kahn, Dave Klein – cornet
Don Murray – clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax
George Brunies – trombone
Sol Shapiro – violin
Tony Gerhardi – banjo
Frank Ross – piano
Harry Barth – tuba
John Lucas – drums

I can’t believe in the nearly two and a half years I’ve had this channel I’ve never posted a Ted Lewis record! To rectify this, here is the hilariously named “Blues (My Naughty Sweetheart Gives To Me)”.

Lewis first recorded this song in 1919 at his first session for Columbia with a smaller band. Here we find a electric recording of Lewis seven years later giving the tune a fresh look. Lewis’ clarinet verges on a klezmer style throughout, and seems to constantly inspire the other instruments to join in as he stretches out.

The original issue was a standard black Columbia Viva-tonal label – and this one is a repressing from 2-3 years later with Lewis’ custom Columbia label. These labels were originally a mirrored silver – but with age and time, the chrome finish dulled to a battleship grey.

Recorded in Chicago, Illinois on July 16, 1926.
Released as Columbia 770-D.

Ted Lewis – clarinet, alto sax, director
Walter Kahn, Dave Klein – cornet
George Brunies – trombone
Sol Shapiro – violin
Maurice Aten – banjo
Frank Ross – piano
Harry Barth – tuba
John Lucas – drums