Author Archives: Charlie Dahan

1926: Porter Grainger’s Three Jazz Songsters recorded “It Makes No Diff’rence to Me” in NYC.  It appeared on Gennett 3317, Champion 15100, and Buddy 8051 and featured Bert Howell (v), Gus Horsley (v), Perry Bradford (v), and Porter Grainger (p).  … Continue reading →

1928: Rev. B.L. Wightman and Congregation recorded “Live the Life” in Richmond. It appeared on Gennett 6891. The track featured Lottie Kimbrough aka Lottie Beaman, Winston Holmes, Sister Elizabeth Cooper, and probably Josie Miles in the choir.  1928: Missionary Josephine … Continue reading →

1897: Happy 127th Birthday, Sidney Bechet! (5/14/1897) Bechet recorded with Alberta Hunter and Louis Armstrong as the Red Onion Jazz Babies for Gennett.  1928: Fiddlin’ Doc Roberts recorded “Smoky Row” in Richmond. The recording appeared on Gennett 6588 and Champion … Continue reading →

1925: Nathan Glantz and His Orchestra recorded “One Smile” in NYC. It appeared on Gennett 3087.  1928: Monroe Silver records “Cohen Phones about His New Auto” in NYC.  It appeared on Gennett 6544, Champion 15506 (1,583 sold), Silvertone 8304, Supertone … Continue reading →

1925: violinist Scipione Guidi recorded three sides in NYC. “Liebesleid (Love’s Sorrow)” and “Rondino” appeared on Gennett 10098 with “Solvejg’s Song” released on Gennett 3105. 1928: Lei’s Royal Hawaiians recorded “Medley of Hawaiian Melodies” in Richmond.  It appeared on Gennett … Continue reading →

1885: Happy 139th Birthday, King Oliver! (5/11/1885).  The bandleader and influential figure in American popular music made his first recording in Gennett’s Richmond studios with his Creole Jazz Band in April 1923.  In addition to being a ground-breaking cornetist, he … Continue reading →

1923: Bailey’s Lucky Seven recorded “Yes, We Have No Bananas” in NYC.  It appeared on Gennett 5154 and Starr-Gennett 9395 and featured Irving Kaufman (v).  1924: Daddy Stovepipe recorded “Sundown Blues” in Richmond. Daddy Stovepipe’s real name was Johnny Watson … Continue reading →

1928: Oscar L. Coffey recorded “Six Feet of Earth Makes Us All One Size” in Richmond. The recording appeared on Champion 15523, Gennett 6496, and Supertone 9325. The Champion issue sold over 3,000 copies between 1928 and 1930. 

1905: Happy 119th Birthday Red Nichols! (5/8/1905). Here is Red’s appearance on fellow Gennett Walk of Fame inductee Lawrence Welk’s show from 1956.  1910: Happy 114th Birthday, Mary Lou Williams! (5/8/1910). Williams recorded “Now Cut Loose” with Duke Jackson’s Serenaders … Continue reading →

1896: Happy 128th Birthday, Vic Berton! (5/7/1896). Drummer Vic Berton recorded many sides on Gennett including with Bailey’s Lucky Seven and Johnny Clesi’s Areoleans. Here Berton (d), Red Nichols (c), Miff Mole (tb), and several other unknown musicians record “Ain’t … Continue reading →