Tag: The Georgians

Continuing the Georgians marathon, this one is from their second recording session, where they added Joe Tarto and Frank Smith. All the players in the Georgians’ lineup also played together in the Paul Specht orchestra.

This lively recording of the Creamer and Layton tune “‘Way Down Yonder in New Orleans”, which had just finished its first run of over 80 performances at the Times Square Theatre (late June – late August) staged by Henry Creamer himself.

The black songwriting team subtitled the tune “A Southern Song, without A Mammy, A Mule, Or A Moon” as a critique of the common (and often racist) tropes of nostalgic songs about Southern life. These types of songs were popular during this era – and it is nice to see this subtle rejection of the mythology.

While this version is an early recording of the song – it is not even close to being the first recording. That honor appears to belong to Nathan Glantz, who recorded the tune for Pathé Actuelle in July/August of 1922. It was recorded by others in the ensuing months, including Peerless Quartet (August 14, 1922), the Dixie Daisies (October 1922), Bailey’s Lucky Seven (December 8, 1922), and Sam Lanin (early December 1922).

The solos start early and continue throughout.

0:00 Intro
0:31 alto sax (?) (O’Donnell or Saliers)
1:12 trumpet (Guarente)
1:35 trombone (Stilwell)
1:52 tenor sax(?) (Saliers?)
2:13 ensemble

New York, December 21, 1922
Released as Columbia A3804.

Credits:
Frank Guarente – trumpet, director
Ray Stilwell – trombone
Johnny O’Donnell – clarinet, bass clarinet, alto sax
Harold Saliers – clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax
Frank Smith – clarinet, soprano sax
Joe Tarto – tuba
Arthur Schutt – piano
Russell Deppe – banjo
Chauncey Morehouse – drums

From the very first recording session as The Georgians, led by trumpeter Frank Guarente, we present “Chicago (That Toddling Town)”.

Recorded in New York City on November 29, 1922.
Released as Columbia A3775.

Credits:
Frank Guarente – trumpet, director
Ray Stilwell – trombone
Johnny O’Donnell – clarinet, bass clarinet, alto sax
Harold Saliers – clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax
Arthur Schutt – piano
Russell Deppe – banjo
Chauncey Morehouse – drums

The Georgians are one of those underrated acoustic-era jazz bands that often get overlooked – though Italian-born trumpeter Frank Guarente had been playing in New Orleans – the epicenter of early jazz – starting in 1914. It was said that he was friends with Joe Oliver – and that the two traded tips and techniques.

Guarente is a marvel on these early Georgians records, playing advanced hot solos for the time – and leading a very elegant group of ensemble players.

Here we have a fine tune on a record in excellent condition – “If You’ll Come Back”. At 1:15, the trumpet takes a solo, and we hear Guarente launch into an ornery muted melody that begins and ends with a growl.

Recorded in New York City on March 6, 1924.
Released as Columbia 102-D

Credits
Frank Guarente – trumpet, director
Archie Jones – trombone
Johnny O’Donnell – clarinet, bass clarinet, alto sax
Dick Johnson – clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax
Arthur Schutt – piano
Russell Deppe – banjo
Chauncey Morehouse – drums