Lewis 13 – A by Evangelist E. Arthur Lewis
April 20th in Gennett History, 1923: Evangelist E. Arthur Lewis and his Mandola / Mandolin recorded “I Have Entered the Land of Corn and Wine” in Richmond. This custom label pressing featured Lewis’ unique instrument, the mandola. It appeared on Lewis 13 – A. Recording from Mainspringpress.com
1927: Lizzie Washington recorded “Skeleton Key Blues” in Richmond. The recording appeared on Gennett 6134, Champion 15282, and Herwin 92021. The track featured Lizzie Washington (v), James Johnson (p/celeste), Henry Moon (g), George Thomas (g). The Champion issue sold about 700 copies in 1927 and 1928.
1944: Clarinetist Jimmie Noone passed away. He recorded “Lonely Little Wallflower” with Cook’s Dreamland Orchestra on 1/21/1924 in Richmond.
1928: Jimmy Blythe and W.E. Burton recorded “Dustin the Keys” in Richmond. It appeared on Gennett 6502-B, Champion 15507, and QRS 7016. Champion 15507 sold approx. 900 copies between 1928 and 1929.
Gene Autry Gennett Walk of Fame Medallion
1931: Today is Tax Day and Gene Autry reminds us “Money Ain’t No Use Anyway.” He recorded it in Richmond on 2/9/1931. It appeared on Champion 16245, Champion 45156, Decca 5423, Decca X-1236, Melotone 45156, Montgomery Ward 8016, and Rex 9459. Champion 16245 sold 1,224 copies between 1931 and 1933.
Gene Autry Gennett Walk of Fame Medallion
April 16th in Gennett History, 1931: Gene Autry recorded “T. B. Blues” in Richmond. It appeared on Champion 16275, Champion 45073, Superior 2710, Montgomery Ward 4975, Melotone 45256, Decca 5517, and Decca X-1234. Champion 16275 sold 586 copies between 1931 and 1933.
Fats Waller Gennett Walk of Fame Medallion
April 13th in Gennett History, 1926: Alta Browne and Bertha Powell recorded “I Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray” in New York. The recording appeared on Gennett 3318 and Champion 15103. In addition to Browne and Powell’s vocals, Fats Waller plays piano on this track. The Champion release sold 364 copies in 1926 and 1927.
1867: Happy 151st Birthday, Daddy Stovepipe! (4/12/1867). Sam Jones, aka Daddy Stovepipe, recorded “Sundown Blues” on 5/10/1924 in Richmond. It appeared on Gennett 5459, Silvertone 4042, and Claxtonola 40335.
1892: Happy 126th Birthday, Johnny Dodds! (4/12/1892). Clarinetist, Johnny Dodds recorded with King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band on the Gennett label in 1923 and the State Street Ramblers in 1927. The State Street Ramblers’ “Cootie Stomp” appeared on Gennett 6232 and featured Natty Dominique (c), Johnny Dodds (cl), Jimmy Blythe (p). It was recorded on 8/12/1927 in Chicago.
1927: Big Boy Cleveland recorded “Quill Blues” in either Chicago or Richmond. The recording appeared on Gennett 6108 and Longer “Big Boy” Cleveland played a quill/syrinx.
April 11th in Gennett History, 1926: Leonard Rutherford and John Foster recorded “Richmond Blues” in Richmond. It appeared on Gennett 6976 and Conqueror 7276 (as the Rankin Brothers). Leonard Rutherford appeared on fiddle & vox and John Foster was on guitar and vox.
