May 4th through the 6th in Gennett History…

May 4th in Gennett History, 1928: Allison’s Sacred Harp Singers recorded “Sweet Morning” in Richmond. It appeared on Gennett 6606. 

 

May 5th in Gennett History…

1901: Happy 117th Birthday, Blind Willie McTell! (5/5/1901). The guitarist recorded with Curley Weaver for Champion with many of the records also ending up on Decca in April 1935 in Chicago. Here Weaver and McTell recorded their “Two Faced Woman.” 

1977: prolific Gennett recording artist and organizer, Sam Lanin died. Lanin’s Famous Players recorded ‘”Wabash Blues” in NYC on 11/24/1921. It appeared on Gennett 4796, Connorized 3019, Edison Bell Winner 3643, Rich-Tone 7013, and Starr-Gennett 9180. 

 

May 6th in Gennett History…

1903: Happy 115th Birthday Cliff Carlisle! (5/6/1903). Carlisle recorded over two dozen sides as both a featured performer and sideman for Gennett and Champion, including “Chicken Roost Blues” with Wilbur Ball from 12/9/1931. It appeared on Champion 16364, Champion 45132, Superior 2777, Montgomery Ward 8036, and Decca X-1238. Champion 16364 sold only 250 copies in 1932. 

 

1924: The Wolverine Orchestra recorded “Riverboat Shuffle” in Richmond. It was released on Gennett 5454. The track featured Bix Beiderbecke (c); Jimmy Hartwell (cl); George Johnson (ts); Dick Voynow (p); Bob Gillette (bj/g); Min Leibrook (tu); Vic Moore (d). Ninety-one years ago, the band also recorded “Copenhagen,” “Oh Baby,” and “Susie.” 

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May 3rd in Gennett History…

May 3rd in Gennett History, 1923: Ladd’s Black Aces recorded “Long Lost Mama (Daddy Misses You)” in NYC. The track appeared on Gennett 5150 and Starr-Gennett 9409 and featured Phil Napoleon (c), Charlie Panelli (tb), Jimmy Lytell (cl), Frank Signorelli (p), and Jack Roth (d). The picture of the band in the Gennett catalog showed an all African American outfit, even though all of the members were white. 

May 2nd in Gennett History…

May 2nd in Gennett History, 1927: The California Vagabonds recorded “S-L-U-E Foot” in NYC. It appeared on Gennett 6170, Champion 15322 (as Gordon Grimes and his Orchestra), and Aco GA-20026 (as Frisco Syncopators). This recording featured Chelsea Quesley and Frank Cush (c), Tommy Dorsey (tb), Bobby Davis, Arnold Brilhart, Sam Ruby, and Adrian Rollini (sax/cl), Irving Brodaky (p), Tommy Felline (bjo), and Stan King (d). The Champion release sold 2,339 copies in 1927 and 1928. 

May 1st in Gennett History…

May 1st in Gennett History, 1929: Carson Robison recorded “Why Did I Get Married” in NYC. It was released on Gennett 6854, Champion 15746, and Supertone 6854. The Champion issue sold 37,435 copies between 1929 and 1932.  I am not sure this recording is from this session, but he recorded it in 1929.   

April 30th in Gennett History…

April 30th in Gennett History, 1925: The Chubb – Steinberg Orchestra recorded “Mandy Make Up Your Mind” and “Steppin in Society” in Richmond. They appeared on Gennett 3058 and featured Art Hicks (vox),Burt Allen and Wild Bill Davison (c), Frank Bamberger (tb), Ray Evans, Homer Beecraft and Jack Weber (sax), Jack Weber (cl), Jack Saatkamp (p), Carl Clauve (bjo), Art Hicks (f), and Bud Ebel (d). 

April 27th in Gennett History…

1927: Marion Underwood recorded “Coal Creek March” in Richmond. It appeared on Gennett 6240, Supertone 9167, Silvertone 5080, and Silverstone 9167.

 

Hoagy Carmichael Gennett Walk of Fame Medallion

 

1928: Carmichael’s Collegians recorded “March of the Hoodlums” in Richmond. It appeared on Gennett 6474, Champion 16453, and Champion 40001.  The recording featured Bud Dant (c), Chauncey Goodwin (as/cl), Harold Keating (ts/cl), Hoagy Carmichael (p), Jack Drummond (bs), Arnold Habbe (bjo), Eddie Wolfe (vn), and Andy van Sickle (d). 

April 26th in Gennett History…

Alberta Hunter Gennett Walk of Fame Medallion

 

1926: Alberta Jones recorded “It Must be Hard” in NYC.  It appeared on Gennett 3306, Champion 15101, and Buddy 8033.  The recording featured Alberta Jones (vox) and Carroll Boyd (piano) . The Champion issue sold 402 copies in 1926 and 1927.  

 

1927: Taylor’s Kentucky Boys recorded “Forked Deer” in Richmond. It appeared on Gennett 6130, Champion 15300, Challenge 302, Silverstone 5082, Silverstone 8183, and Supertone 9170.  The recording featured Willie Young (guitar), Marion Underwood (banjo), and Jim Booker (fiddle).  The Champion issue sold approx. 800 copies in 1927 and 1928.