Tag: Washboard Rhythm Band

An oddball Columbia session for the Washboard Rhythm Kings – who usually recorded for Victor or Vocalion. Odder still – of the eight tunes recorded, only two were released domestically in the U.S. on Columbia’s 14000 series. Four sides, including this one, were only released in the U.K.

This actually was the first WRK recording I ever heard – It came up on a Spotify playlist 8-9 years ago and I immediately began looking for other recordings by this group. It was the beginning of a long obsession!

The main theme is relatively straightforward and the solos are all good – but honestly, it was the infectious energized vocal performance by Taft Jordan that won me over. While some feel he was doing his level best to deliver an impression of a Louis Armstrong vocal performance, I feel he adds his own character and spirit to it that makes it his own. I love his vocalized trombone-like slides into the lower register at the end of each line.

I’m not sure as to the rarity of this one overseas, but this deep depression cut was not easy to find here in the U.S. – Not many come up for sale and I feel quite lucky to have this nice copy. Enjoy!

Fun fact: Taft Jordan went on to have a long career in jazz – in 1959 he played trumpet on Miles Davis’ Sketches of Spain!

Recorded in New York City on March 8, 1933.
Released in the U.K. as Columbia CB 626 and in France as Columbia DF 1303.

Credits
Taft Jordan – trumpet, vocals
Ben Smith – clarinet, alto sax
Carl Wade – tenor sax
Steve Washington – banjo, guitar
John “Shorty” Haughton (?) – trombone
Jerome Carrington (?) – alto sax
Clarence Profit (?) – piano
Unknown Artist – washboard

Another deep depression cut from the Washboard Rhythm Kings (here as Washboard Rhythm Band) that was only issued in Europe. It’s not clear why, but only two of the eight tunes recorded at this session were released in the U.S.

Louis Armstrong famously recorded this tune with his orchestra in January 1933, followed by a slightly peppier version by Adrian Rollini’s Orchestra in February. Here the Rhythm Band give it their own unique twist, with Taft Jordan’s droll delivery that verges on comedy. I feel Taft and the Rhythm Kings must have been one of the more enjoyable groups to play with back in the day.

Recorded in New York City on March 8, 1933.
Released as Columbia DF 1262 in France.

Credits
Taft Jordan – trumpet, vocals
Ben Smith – clarinet, alto sax
Jerome Carrington (?) – alto sax
Carl Wade – tenor sax
Clarence Profit (?) – piano
Steve Washington – banjo, guitar
Unknown artist – trombone, washboard

A deep depression cut from the Washboard Rhythm Kings (here as Washboard Rhythm Band) that was only issued in Europe. It’s not clear why the tunes in this session never got an American release –

Recorded from one of my favorite sessions with the WRK, as Taft Jordan’s wry vocals were on a roll after recording the outstanding “Midnight Rhythm” and “A Ghost of a Chance” earlier in the day.

Here they take a popular show tune from the hit 1933 film “42nd Street” (which featured the song in a big production number choreographed by Busby Berkeley) and gave it the washboard treatment – with a cheeky vocal send-up by Jordan and plenty of solos replete with their characteristic laid back elegance.

Recorded in New York City on March 8, 1933.
Released as Columbia DF 1262 in France.

Credits
Taft Jordan – trumpet, vocals
Ben Smith – clarinet, alto sax
Jerome Carrington (?) – alto sax
Carl Wade – tenor sax
Clarence Profit (?) – piano
Steve Washington – banjo, guitar
Unknown artist – trombone, washboard