The Unknown Nordskog 3040-Burtnett and Miller Famous Orchestra

I recently acquired a west coast recording on the rare Nordskog label, performed by the Burtnett and Miller Orchestra. The Brian Rust dance band or Jazz discographies fail to mention that the two collaborated in 1923 and hired west coast musicians in Los Angeles, California. A newspaper article mentions the joining of Earl Burtnett and Ray Miller, as Burtnett and Miller Famous Orchestra. What is interesting about this particular record is that the labels have been placed on the wrong side of the record, as the 3040 B appears in the inner grove with the A side label. The record has only one side of Jazz interest, where the orchestra performs “Lady of the Evening”. There are some interesting solos. The recording has been uploaded for you to listen to.

 

 

 

Victrola and 78 Journal, Volume 1, Summer, 1994

While searching for new material to publish, I came across a series old articles that were written for the Victrola and 78 Journal in 1994. The material pertains to both gramophone and 78 rpm records, so it falls within this blogs theme. I hope you will enjoy the first edition, and will continue with the series at a later date.

 

Columbia Records Goes All Out For Paul Whiteman “Potato” Head Records 1928

The King of Jazz, Paul Whiteman entered into a new recording contract with Columbia Records in 1928, after a long tenure with Victor, and as a sales gimmick, they introduced the characteristic potato head image of the band leader. To publicize his new 10 inch and 12 inch records, full page ads, such as the one below would appear in the newspapers.

 

Clarence Williams Washboard Band “P.D-Q. Blues” 1927

It is always nice to turn up a page in a newspaper where a promotion for a recording occurs by the company that will turn out the 78 rpm record. The artwork behind some of these ads is quite good, and I thought about sharing this one for Clarence Williams Washboard Band, for the Vocalion race series, picked from the April 23, 1927 edition of The Pittsburgh Courier.

 

Have You Heard The New “Champion” Records? 1926

Champion records in the 1920’s were derived from Gennett masters, and priced to sell as a budget label. The department store of Lit Brothers, situated in Philadelphia, PA., announced the latest Champion records that they were stocking, in the April 10, 1926 edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

 

A Look At My Record Collection Part Two

On March 19th, I uploaded some photographs from my personal 78 RPM record collection. Today, I invite you to take a second look at some of the records I have acquired over the past few years.

 

A Rare Okeh Ajax Race Record Advertisement 1924

At first glance one would think this is just an advertisement for Okeh Race Records because of the banner at the top. But once you see names like Helen Gross and the Choo Choo Jazzers, ( with a 17000 catalogue number) appear, you know you’ve stumbled upon a rare find. The George M. Wood  record store of Pittsburgh claimed to be a pioneer in dealing with race records, and sponsored this advertisement, found in the September 6, 1924 Pittsburgh Courier.

 

American Crown Record Label April Release 1931

The American Crown label started in 1930 as a result of  Plaza’s exclusion from the newly formed American Record Corporation. This budget label sold in the stores for a mere 25 cents, and often studio groups recorded on this label, including Lou Gold and Adrian Schubert’s Orchestra. Some of the more sought after names that Jazz collector’s tend to look for on this label included Gil Rodin’s Orchestra, Fletcher Henderson’s Connie’s Inn Orchestra, and, Gene Kardos as Joel Shaw. The March 30, 1931 issue of the Amsterdam Daily Democrat and Recorder, Amsterdam, New York carried a rare insert for the release of Crown Records for April.

 

Leona Williams And Her Dixie Band

Since my last article about singer Leona Williams and her Dixie Band, I searched high and low for more advertisements that Columbia records would have run between 1922 and 1923. I was fortunate to find two more, in The Atlanta Independent, which was the local colored newspaper at that time. As I previously may have mentioned, her band was none other than members of The Original Memphis Five.

Brunswick Phonographs And Race Records 1929

It is not common to find an advertisement which combined both phonographs and race records together, let alone in a non colored newspaper. Such was the case in this Brunswick insert, placed in The Tulia Herald, Tulia, Texas on May 9, 1929.

 

Berliner Launchs The Canadian 216000 HMV Record Series 1919

On August 1, 1919 The Berliner Gram-o-phone Company Limited announced a newly conceived line of  records which would promote Canadian talent, such as pianist Willie Eckstein, violinist Luigi Romanelli, whose orchestra appeared at The King Edward Hotel in Toronto during the early 1920’s, The Melody Kings Dance Orchestra from Montreal, and, around 1929, Fred Culley and his Royal York Hotel Orchestra.

“He’s Tight Like This” Hilda Alexander And Mamie McClure 1929

Brunswick’s Race Records gave us a good example of their ability to put a great blues tune on one side of a record, and a great jazz tune on the flip side on record number 7069. First there is the blues singing team of Hilda Alexander and Mamie McClure backed up by the Backa Town Boys, and, to a suprisingly lesser degree, we find Jabbo Smith and his Rhythm Aces “Michigander Blues” mentioned.

Louis Armstrong Is The King Of Trumpet Players 1929

The Okeh Phonograph Corporation ran a series of new release advertisements in the Afro-American newspaper of Baltimore, Maryland during 1929 for their star performer, Louis Armstrong. One of these release ads, run on April 13, 1929, suggested most appropriately, that Louis was indeed the “King of Trumpet Players” .

“Down Hearted Blues” Eva Taylor And Clarence Williams 1923

From the pages of The Atlanta Independent comes this photographic advertisement of both Eva Taylor and Clarence Williams together, as part of the General Phonograph Corporation’s promotion of their new release “Down Hearted Blues”. The Okeh release appeared first, on May 3, 1923 .

 

Rare Black Swan Promotion 1922

This rare Black Swan race record promotion ran in the negro newspaper ”The Dallas Express”  on July 22, 1922.

 

March Victor Records 1923

At the beginning of each month, Victor Records would announce its latest releases in national newspapers throughout Canada, and the United States. Here are three examples of different banners used to announce the releases on March 1, 1923.

Here Are The Latest Hits On Regal And Banner 1923

William H. Bonnage of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania  advertised the latest hits that they carried on Regal and Banner Records, which sold for 49 cents, in the February 10, 1923 edition of The Beaver Falls Tribune.

 

”I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate” Leona Williams And Her Jazz Band 1922

The recording of this record on the Columbia label took place in New York City on September 19, 1922. Many famous Jazz musicians backed up Williams on her recordings, including Jimmy Durante on Piano, Miff Mole on Trombone, and Phil Napoleon on trumpet, or The Original Memphis Five if you wish. The release of the record did not appear in the newspaper until November 17, 1922.

 

Lucille Hegamin And Her Blue Flame Syncopaters 1921

Below is a rare photograph of Lucille Hegamin  and her Blue Flame Syncopaters from March 4, 1921, announcing her new recording on the rare Arto label. The Lexington Music Shop was in Baltimore, Maryland.

 

Mamie Smith And Her Jazz Hounds 1922

Here is wonderful advertisement by the East Texas Phonograph Co., depicting Okeh Records artist Mamie Smith and her Jazz Hounds. This was inserted in the Dallas Express on July 1, 1922.

“Am I Blue” Jimmie Noone And His Apex Club Orchestra 1929

From the motion picture “On With The Show” comes Jimmie Noone and his Apex Club Orchestra’s interpretation of “Am I Blue”, and, “Birmingham Bertha”. The promotion for his recording on the Vocalion label was advertised in The Afro-American, Baltimore, Maryland on October 5, 1929.

“Croonin’ The Blues” Jabbo Smith And His Rhythm Aces 1929

A second Jabbo Smith and his Rhythm Aces advertisement has been located! Brunswick inserted this ad in the August 3, 1929 edition of The Afro-American.

Six Paramount Record Advertisements From Texas 1923

Here are the best six Paramount Race Record advertisements from The Dallas Express in 1923. The Dallas Express was the colored newspaper of Texas.

 

“Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie” Pinetop Smith 1929

A master of the boogie woogie style of blues piano, Clarence “Pinetop” Smith recorded for the Vocalion label in 1928 and 1929. His style was the essance of ragtime and influenced many future pieces in that style. Vocalion advertised record number 1245 in The Afro-American, Baltimore, Maryland, on April 6, 1929.

 

“Furniture Man Blues” Victoria Spivey And Lonnie Johnson 1929

Blues singers Victoria Spivey and Lonnie Johnson recording of “Furniture Man Blues” Parts 1 and 2 are announced by the Okeh Phonograph Company in the February 9, 1929 edition of The Afro-American, Baltimore, Maryland. They are backed up by Clarence Williams on piano.

 

Why Not Express Your Valentine Greeting By Sending Emerson Records? 1920

Emerson Records, in conjunction with The Simon Piano Company of Spokane, Washington, ran this advertisement in The Spokesman-Review on February 11, 1920.

 

“Decatur Street Tutti” Jabbo Smith And His Rhythm Aces 1929

Jabbo Smith was a gifted trumpet player and vocalist, and although he recorded 19 sides for Brunswick, his records had poor sales when released. They are highly sought after by collectors today. Brunswick inserted this advertisement in the June 29, 1929 edition of The Afro-American, Baltimore, Maryland.

 

“Don’t Drink It In Here!” Bill Johnson’s Louisiana Jug Band 1929

Brunswick Race Records promotes a tune that would suggest it may be aimed at prohibition, since a policeman is present in the advertisement. “Don’t Drink It In Here” by Bill Johnson’s Louisiana Jug Band appeared in The Afro-American, Baltimore, Maryland on May 25, 1929.

 

“It’s Tight Like That” Jimmie Noone’s Apex Club Orchestra 1929

In an earlier post today, I illustrated the Louis Armstrong Okeh Records promotion for the same song. Here is the Vocalion Race Records version promoting Jimmie Noone, which was inserted in the March 16, 1929 Afro-American.

 

“Tight Like This” Louis Armstrong And His Savoy Ballroom Five 1929

Okeh Records announces Louis Armstrong’s latest recordings, “Tight Like This”, and “It’s Tight Like That”, in this photographic advertisement of Louis. The ad was placed in The Afro-American, Baltimore, Maryland on January 26, 1929.

 

“Bessie Couldn’t Help It” Slatz Randall And His Orchestra 1929

Another advertisement from Brunswick Records that ran in 1929, promoting Slatz Randall and his Orchestra.

 

Eddie Cantor Endorses Hit Of The Week Records 1930

Durium Records claimed that recording vocalist Eddie Cantor could not tell the difference between their 15 cent record, and a 75 cent record, in this May 10, 1930 advertisement placed in The Afro-American, Baltimore, Maryland.

Louis Armstrong And His Orchestra “Song Of The Islands” 1930

Another advertisement found in The Afro-American, Baltimore, Maryland, publicizing Louis Armstrong’s latest recording on Okeh Records. This was inserted in the April 19, 1930 edition.

 

Louis Armstrong And His Savoy Ballroom Five Play “St. James Infirmary” 1930

Okeh Race Records, on March 15, 1930, announces Louis Armstrong’s latest recording, in The Afro-American, Baltimore, Maryland.

Lonnie Johnson And Victoria Spivey Team Up For “Toothache Blues” 1930

Okeh Race Records announces that Lonnie Johnson and Victoria Spivey are together to sing the Blues, the “Toothache Blues. Okeh inserted their advertisement in the January 4, 1930 edition of The Afro-American, Baltimore, Maryland.

“Dry Bone Shuffle” By Blind Blake 1927

Paramount Race Records heralded Blind Blake’s famous piano sounding guitar as simply amazing, in his latest recording, “Dry Bone Shuffle.” This advertisement was inserted in The Afro-American, Baltimore, Maryland, on May 28, 1927.

 

“A Brass Band Gone Crazy” The Original Dixieland Jazz Band 1917

On May 1, 1917, Victor Records introduced the world to the sound of  “Jass”, with the first recordings of  The Original Dixieland Jazz Band, through this ad in the Meriden Morning Record, Meriden, Connecticut.

Alberta Hunter’s “Chripin’ The Blues” 1923

Paramount Records begins its long campaign of advertising its race artists, starting with this ad for Alberta Hunter, found in the June 13,1923 edition of The Afro-American, Baltimore, Maryland.

 

Jimmy Blythe’s Washboard Wizards “My Baby” 1928

Vocalion Race Records 1180,  for Jimmy Blythe’s Washboard Wizards, is announced in The Afro-American newspaper, Baltimore, Maryland, on June 16, 1928.

 

Okeh Records Promotes Louis Armstrong And His Hot Five “Struttin With Some Barbecue” 1928

A great advertisement for Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five, as found in the May 26, 1928 edition of  The Afro-American, Baltimore, Maryland.

 

“Take Your Black Bottom Outside” Ethel Waters 1927

This is by far one of the more humorous advertisements by Columbia records for Ethel Waters, that was in The Afro-American July 9, 1927 edition.

“SING ON” SAM MORGAN’S JAZZ BAND 1927

Columbia records wants you to “Sing On” with Sam Morgan’s Jazz Band, as illustrated by this advertisement in the June 25, 1927 edition of The Afro-American newspaper, Baltimore, Maryland.

Miff Mole And His Little Molers 1929

From Charleston, South Carolina comes this wonderful Okeh advertisement, promoting Miff Mole and his Little Molers. The News and Courier carried the ad in their January 4, 1929 edition.

 

The Cotton Pickers 1923

Brunswick Records announces the latest recording by The Cotton Pickers, in this May 23, 1923 insert, that was placed in the Spokane Daily Chronicle, Spokane, Washington.

 

The Mound City Blue Blowers First Recording 1924

While looking through the April 16, 1924 edition of The Nevada Daily Mail, Nevada, Missouri, I stumbled upon this insert by Martin Brothers Piano Company about the Mound City Blue Blowers first Brunswick recording.

 

Starr Gennett Records 1920

The Starr Company of London, Ontario publicized their line of Starr Gennett records in the March 1, 1920 edition of The Border Cities Star, Windsor, Ontario.

 

New Lyric Dance Records 1921

The Connecticut Speciality Company Limited of Meriden Connecticut heralded the arrival of the “New Lyric Dance Records”, in this January 17, 1921 advertisement, found in the Meriden Morning Record.

 

Louis Armstrong and his Hot Seven “Wild Man Blues” 1927

The July 16, 1927 edition of The Afro-American, Baltimore, Maryland carried this advertisement about Louis Armstrong’s latest recording on the Okeh race record series.

 

The Compo Company of Lachine, Quebec Part Seven 7001-8000

The Compo Company recording ledgers from 1934 to 1937.

 

The Compo Company Lachine, Quebec Ledgers Part Six 6001-7000

Today we continue our series of segments from the recording ledgers from the Compo Company, from 1932 to 1934.