Bluebird B-6415 – Duke Ellington and his Orchestra – 1927/1928
In celebration of fifty “likes” on our Facebook page, we’ll have a jubilee here at Old Time Blues, and what better way to than with the hot jazz of Duke Ellington’s Cotton Club Orchestra on two of...
View ArticleBlack Swan 2005 – Lulu Whidby – 1921
In honor of Black History Month, I present to you a Black Swan phonograph record, from the first line “race records” made by and for African American people, featuring the early sounds of vaudevillian...
View ArticleColumbia 13001-D – Bessie Smith – 1923
I often notice that there’s no balance between the jazz and the and the blues (and country) that’s posted here, unfortunately the category for blues tunes on this site is terribly barren and bereft....
View ArticleBrunswick 3526 – The Washingtonians – 1927
We’ve got yet another birthday to celebrate today, that of the great trumpeter Bubber Miley. Miley was a excellent player noted for his use of the plunger mute. James Wesley Miley was born April 3,...
View ArticleColumbia 14427-D – Bessie Smith – 1929
On this day, we celebrate the 122nd anniversary of the birthday of the Empress of the Blues herself, Bessie Smith. Bessie Smith was born on April 15, 1894 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, though the 1900...
View ArticleDecca 1840 – Chick Webb and his Orchestra – 1938
In the mood for a bit of swing? I hope so, because today we celebrate birthday of the First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald. Ella was born April 25, 1917 in Newport News, Virginia. She moved north to...
View ArticleBrunswick 6265 – Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra – 1932
Today we celebrate the birthday of Duke Ellington, who was born on this day 117 years ago. Music as his mistress, he was the man that made a lady out of jazz. Edward Kennedy Ellington was born April...
View ArticleColumbia 14593-D – Thomas “Fats” Waller and His Hot Piano – 1931
May 21 marks yet another impossible to ignore occasion, the 112th birthday of Fats Waller. This record is Fats’ first vocal record issued under his own name, he had previously recorded a series of...
View ArticleVictor 21491 – Charles Johnson’s Paradise Ten/Lloyd Scott’s Orchestra – 1928
In honor of “King” Benny Carter’s birthday, here’s an outstanding Harlem jazz record featuring one of his earliest recorded appearances, as well as a taste of his arranging talent. Bennett Lester...
View ArticleBrunswick 6074 – Cab Calloway and his Orchestra – 1931
It’s been quite a while since we’ve last heard from our old friend Cab Calloway here on Old Time Blues, but has come time to turn out attention to what may well be his greatest claim to fame—”Minnie...
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