Mart Britt And His Orchestra-Goose Creek, 1928

Here is a great little territory band that recorded sides with Victor. The personnel include Tony Almerico or Irwin Kunz-c/? Blue Steele-tb/Sidney Arodin-cl/Terry Shand-p/Mart Britt-bj/? sb/? d. Memphis, September 14, 1928. Vic 21760.

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.

 

Jewel Records 1928

There were many budget record labels during the 1920’s, sold primarily in low cost department stores, or dime stores.The Plaza Music Company had its tried and tested Banner, Regal, Domino, Oriole, and Perfect labels as established names. It decided to launch another label in 1927 under the name “Jewel”, perhaps to compete with Cameo’s “Romeo” record line, which was introduced the year before. This rare ad for the Jewel label came from the department store of Victor and Company, Buffalo, New York. It often advertised the records at 21 cents each, or 5 for $1.00.

 

Is This The Austin High Gang? A Photographic Mystery 1928

From what I understand, the Chicago Rhythm Kings were made up of what was known as the “Austin High Gang”. This group of musicians consisted of Gene Krupa on drums, Eddie Condon guitar and vocals, Joe Sullivan on piano, Mezz Mezzrow, tenor saxophone, Frank Teschemacher on clarinet, Mugsy Spanier on cornet, and Red McKenzie, vocals. They apparently recorded for Brunswick in April, 1928. So, how is it that this advertisement, inserted in the Albany Evening News on January 20, 1928 states that they are already recording artists? Because the photograph is so dark, I could only make out  possibly Joe Sullivan, with his glasses. Is that Teschemacher second from the left holding a clarinet? At least the advertisement shows that the group was to appear at Murray’s Dance Academy in Albany, New York.

 

Update! A viewer on Facebook has cleared up the mystery! This is not the Chicago Rhythm Kings that recorded in April, 1928. It is an all black band. The picture of the musicians has been uploaded for identification.

The Dixie Portable Phonograph 1928

In the previous article about portable phonographs, the advertisement mentioned The Dixie Portable. Now, from Australia, comes an illustration of this phonograph, courtesy of The Sydney Mail, February 8, 1928.

 

Add Pleasure To Your School Days And Vacation Outings With A Portable Phonograph 1928

For those of us in Canada and the United States who have had to endure a harsh winter, I give you thoughts of hot Summer days ahead, and music from a portable phonograph. Sterchi Bros. of Florence, Alabama advertised that they carried four different portable phonographs, in the Florence Times Daily, on June 18, 1928.

 

Jazz Trumpeter And Soloist of Whiteman’s Orchestra Is Former Davenport Lad 1928

Leon “Bix” Beiderbecke, native of Davenport, Iowa, is featured in an article, found in The Davenport Democrat and Leader, April 25, 1928. 

 

Our One Year Anniversary Special! The Chicago Rhythm Kings “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” 1928

Recorded in Chicago, April 4th 1928

Personnel: Muggsy Spanier-cornet / Frank Teschmachmer-clarinet / Mezz Mezzrow-tenor sax / Joe Sulivan-piano / Eddie Condon-banjo / Jim Lannigan-brass bass / Gene Krupa-drums / Red McKenzie-vocal.

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.

 

Lillian Glinn Columbia Race Record 1928

”Lost Letter Blues” sung by Lillian Glinn is the theme of this November 3, 1928 Columbia Race Records advertisement in The Afro-American, Baltimore, Maryland.

 

Blue Belle’s Boa Constrictor Blues 1928

Okeh Race Races put this somewhat humorous advertisement in the March 24, 1928 edition of The Afro-American, Baltimore, Maryland, in order to promote Blue Belle’s recording of “Boa Constrictor Blues”.

1928 Christmas Gramophone Sale at the Hudsons Bay Company

The November 30, 1928 edition of The Calgary Daily Herald carried an ad by one of Canada’s foremost department stores, The Hudson’s Bay Company, regarding their Christmas Music Club, and how easy it was to purchase the illustrated gramophones.

 

Lonnie Johson “Kansas City Blues” Okeh Race Advertisement 1928

 

Blues guitarist Lonnie Johnson’s latest Okeh Race Record advertisement of “Kansas City Blues”, parts I &  II, was taken from the Afro-American, February 4, 1928.

Earl Burtnett and his Orchestra-1928

A great little Vitaphone from 1928. This short preceded the road show print of “The Singing
Fool.” Vocals by the Biltmore Trio, Rex Maine. SONGS:
“What’ll You Do?” “The Song is Ended” “Tiger Rag”

Victor and Apex Records Advertisement, 1928

A Drug Store Advertisement for Apex and Victor Records, as it appeared in The Georgetown Herald, October 31st, 1928, Georgetown, Ontario