The Choo Choo Jazzers and Similar Groups: a Musical And

Home , Ajax Records, Al Bernard, Bob Fuller, Charlie Irvis, Elmer Snowden, Helen Gross

The Choo Choo Jazzers and Similar Groups: A Musical and Discographical Reappraisal, Part Two By Bob Hitchens, with revised discographical information compiled and edited by Mark Berresford

Correction to the preamble to Part 1 of this listing. The words “the late” in connection with Johnny Parth should be deleted. Happily Johnny is going well at around 85 years of age. My apologies for the mistake and for any upset caused. Bob H.

Please see Part One (VJM 175) for index to abbreviations and reference sources.

GLADYS MURRAY, Comedienne Acc. By Kansas Five Clementine Smith (vcl, comb and paper) acc by: poss Bubber Miley (t) unknown (tb) Bob Fuller (cl) Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, c. November 24, 1924 5740-5 EVERYBODY LOVES MY BABY (Williams - Palmer) Regal 9760-A Rust: LM? or BM,BF,LH,ES. B&GR: LM or BM??,BF,LH,ES. Kidd: u/k,BF,LH,u/k. Miley disco: BM,u/k (tb)BF,LH,ES. Rains: BM. May be pseudonym for Josie Miles. (David Evans, notes to Document DOCD5518) Miley disco emphasises that other commentators have missed the trombone. So did I. I don’t think BM is here but Rains implies that the label states Miley (VJM157). I agree with KBR and feel that this is the same team as the 21 Nov Edisons.

JOSIE MILES – JAZZ CASPER Josie Miles, Billy Higgins [Jazz Casper] (vcl duet) acc by: Bubber Miley (t) Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, c. November 24, 1924 5741-1-2 LET'S AGREE TO DISAGREE (Smith - Durante) Ban 1499-A Rust: BM or LM,LH,ES. B&GR: LM or BM??,LH,ES. Miley disco: BM,LH,ES. I agree with the latter.

CLEMENTINE SMITH Clementine Smith, Billy Higgins (vcl) acc by: Bubber Miley (t) Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, c. November 24, 1924 5742-1 I'M DONE, DONE, DONE WITH YOU (Al Bernard) Ban 1483-A Rust: LM? or BM,LH,ES. B&GR: LM? or BM??,LH,ES. Kidd: BM,LH,ES. Miley disco: BM,LH,ES. This sounds more like BM. Same session as above

Josie Miles & Billy Higgins and The Choo Choo Jazzers Josie Miles, Billy Higgins [Jazz Casper] (vcl duet) acc by: poss Bubber Miley (t) Bob Fuller (cl-1) Louis Hooper (p) New York, November 23 – Dec 3, 1924 31725 I'm Done Done Done With You -1 (Bernard) * Ajax 17080- 31727 A to Z Blues (BF omitted) (Butter Beans)* Ajax 17080- Rust, B&GR: BM,BF,LH? Miley disco: BM,BF,LH. 31727 sounds more like BM, but on 31725 it is uncharacteristically staccato. The artist credit is from Bryant and unconfirmed here as no copy could be located.

Susie Smith and The Choo Choo Jazzers Monette Moore (vcl) acc by: prob Bubber Miley (t) poss Charlie Irvis (tb) Louis Hooper (p) prob Joe Davis (bell and train whistle effects-1 New York, November 23 – Dec 3, 1924 31729 The Bye Bye Blues (Paul Carter) Ajax 17079-A 31730 Weeping Willow Blues (Paul Carter) -1 Ajax 17079-B Rust, B&GR, Kidd, Miley disco: BM,JF,LH . I think prob BM but tb more like that on matrices 31709-15

Josie Miles & Billy Higgins and The Choo Choo Jazzers Josie Miles, Billy Higgins (vcl duet) acc by: Bubber Miley (t) Bob Fuller (cl-1) Louis Hooper (p) New York, November 23 – Dec 3, 1924 31733 Satisfied (Briers) Ajax 17083- 31735 Picnic Time (1) (Bernard) Ajax 17083- Rust: u/k personnel. B&GR: BM,BF,LH? Miley disco: BM,BF,LH. I agree with the latter. The artist credit is from Bryant and unconfirmed here as no copy could be located.

Susie Smith and The Choo Choo Jazzers Monette Moore (vcl) acc by: Bob Fuller (cl) Louis Hooper (p) New York, November 23 – Dec 3, 1924 31737 Meat Man Pete (Jackson) Ajax 17081-A Rust, B&GR: BF,LH. Agreed. 11

Bob Fuller Bob Fuller (cl solo) acc by Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, November 23 – Dec 3, 1924 31740 Crossword Puzzle Blues (Fuller - Ray)* Ajax 17088- 31741-2 Sweet 'n' Pretty Mama Blues (Fuller - Ray)* Ajax 17088- Rust: BF,LH or AR,ES. Kidd:BF,LH,ES. LW: BF,LH or AR,ES. I have not heard these items. MB wonders whether the composer credits may give a clue to the pianist on this session?

Josie Miles and The Choo Choo Jazzers Josie Miles (vcl) acc by: Bob Fuller (cl) Louis Hooper (p) unknown (bj) New York, November 23 – Dec 3, 1924 31743 Cross Word Papa (You Sure Do Puzzle Me) (Ray - Moore)* Ajax 17087- 31745 I'm a Cabaret Nightingale (Overstreet) Ajax 17090-A Rust: BF,LH,ES? B&GR: BF,LH,u/k. Kidd: BF,LH,ES. The bj (very faint on 31745) plays only on the beat, therefore not ES.

Monette Moore and The Choo Choo Jazzers Monette Moore (vcl) acc by: Jake Frazier (tb) Bob Fuller (cl) Louis Hooper (p) New York, November 23 – Dec 3, 1924 31747 Nobody Knows The Way I Feel Dis Mornin’ (Tom and Pearl Delaney)* Ajax 17086- Rust, B&GR, Kidd: JF,BF,LH. Agreed.

Josie Miles and The Choo Choo Jazzers Josie Miles (vcl) acc by: Bob Fuller (cl) Louis Hooper (p) New York, November 23 – Dec 3, 1924 31749 There'll Be Some Changes Made (Higgins - Overstreet)* Ajax 17087- Rust, B&GR, Kidd: BF,LH. Agreed.

Susie Smith and Her Choo Choo Jazzers: Monette Moore (vcl) acc by: Jake Frazier (tb) Bob Fuller (cl) Louis Hooper (p) New York, November 23 – Dec 3, 1924 31751 Sore Bunion Blues (Williams)* Ajax 17089- 31753 Put Me In The Alley Blues (Callens)* Ajax 17089- Rust, B&GR, Kidd: JF,BF,LH. Agreed.

Helen Gross and The Choo Choo Jazzers Helen Gross (vcl) acc by: Rex Stewart (cnt) Jake Frazier (tb-1) Bob Fuller (cl-2) Louis Hooper (p) New York, November 23 – Dec 3, 1924 31755 Last Journey Blues -1 (Jones) Ajax 17090-B 31757 Bitter Feelin' Blues (1) (Jones)* Ajax 17086- 31759 Workin' Woman's Blues (2) (Williams, Waller) * Ajax 17133- Rust, B&GR, Kidd: RS,JF,BF,LH. Very prob RS (much vibrato). KBR is sure this is not JF: he invites speculation that it might be Rex’s buddy Herb Gregory instead. Composer credit ‘Jones’ is Duke Jones = Arthur Ray.

SIX BLACK DIAMONDS Bubber Miley (t) Jake Frazier (tb) Bob Fuller (cl,ss) Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, c. December 2, 1924 5758-1,2,3 Those Panama Mamas (Johnson - Bibo) Ban 1456-B Rust: LM?,JF,BF,LH,ES. Kidd, Miley disco: BM,JF,BF,LH,ES. Rains & MB hear only BM and no purported 2nd t.

CLEMENTINE SMITH Clementine Smith (vcl) acc by: poss Bubber Miley (t) Jake Frazier (tb) Bob Fuller (cl,ss) Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, c. December 2, 1924 5759-2 NOBODY KNOWS WHAT A RED HEAD MAMA CAN DO (Fain - Mills) Ban 1479-B 5760-2 Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now) (Yellen - Ager)* Ban 1464- Rust: LM? or BM,JF,BF,LH,ES. B&GR: LM? or BM??,JF?,BF,LH,ES. Kidd: LM?,BF,LH,ES. Miley disco: BM,JF,BF,LH,ES. Same session as last despite which this sounds much more LM to me and probably JF (little is audible on 5760).

12 NETTIE POTTER Monette Moore (vcl) acc by: poss Bubber Miley (t) Jake Frazier (tb-1) Bob Fuller (cl-2) Louis Hooper (p) New York, c. December 15, 1924 5786-1 A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND (Eddie Green) -1 Ban 1483-B 5787-1 Blind Man Blues (Green - McLaurin) -2 Regal 9781-B 5787-2 Blind Man Blues (Green - McLaurin) -2 Ban 1484-B Rust: BM or LM,JF,BF,LH. B&GR: BM or LM??,JF,BF,LH. Kidd: LM?,BF,LH. Miley disco: BM,JF?,BF,LH. Could be BM. May be Monette Moore under pseudonym (and no bj)

BOOKER'S JAZZ BAND prob Bubber Miley (t) Jake Frazier (tb) Bob Fuller (cl,as) Charles Booker (as) Louis Hooper (p) poss Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, c. December 15, 1924 5788-2 HOT SAX (Charles H. Booker) Dom 3439-B 5789-1-2 THE WEST TEXAS BLUES (Booker) Dom 3474-B Rust: BM?,JF?,BF?,CB,LH?,ES? Miley disco: BM,JF,BF,CB,LH,ES. MB: BM. Presumably same session as above. Bj less prominent than most ES.

EDITH WILSON AND HER JAZZ HOUNDS Edith Wilson (vcl) acc by: unknown (tp) (tb) (cl) (as) (p) (bj) New York, December 17, 1924 140189-1 He's a Mean Mean Man (Perry Bradford) Col 14054-D 140190-1 Double Crossin' Papa (Perry Bradford) - Rust: all u/k. B&GR: BF?, others u/k. Miley disco: BM/,JF? Rest u/k. Not the usual suspects here. Edith was starring at the Cotton Club at this time and this may well be a contingent from the Cotton Club Orchestra.

CLEMENTINE SMITH Clementine Smith (vcl) acc by: Jake Frazier (tb) Bob Fuller (cl) Louis Hooper (p) New York, c. January 6, 1925 5800-1 NOBODY KNOWS THE WAY I FEEL DIS MORNIN’ (Tom Delaney) Ban 1484-A Rust: JF,BF,LH,ES. B&GR: JF?,BF,LH. There is no banjo present

JOSIE MILES – (mxs 5827/5828) JOSE MILES – JAZZ CASPER – (mx 5829) Josie Miles (vcl) acc by: Bob Fuller (cl-4,ts-2,ss-5) Joe Davis (poss. mellophone-3,sound effects- 7) or unknown (sax-3) Louis Hooper (p) Billy Higgins (Jazz Casper) (vcl-6)

New York, January 26, 1925 5827-1-2 BITTER FEELIN' BLUES (Ray) 2,3 Ban 1498-B 5828-2 THUNDERSTORM BLUES (Williams - Ray) 4,7 Ban 1498-A 5829-2 IT'S THE LAST TIME I'LL BE A PASTIME FOR YOU 3,5,6 (Grossman) Ban 1499-B Rust: BF,Ernest Elliott?,LH,BH,JD. B&GR: BF,u/k,LH,BH,JD. Kidd: (5827) BM,BF?,LH; (5828)BF,LH,JD. Richard Rains (phone conversation) hears as,ss. Bo Lindström hears 2 reeds and Chris Hillman agrees, suggesting EE. ES played both cmel and soprano but BF seems more likely for the latter (think Get-Happy Band) I hear no evidence of ES, nor of EE. The other instrument has almost a cornet attack (te..te..te), unlike BF or other examples of ES. I think it is JD playing mellophone (he learned this in the military). The sound is between Joe Smith and a sax. It does not appear on the sound effects record. Taking the session as a whole, my conclusions are as shown above.

Arthur Ray on tour with Margaret Johnson in Baltimore 29/12/24 (Storyville 2002-3)

Josephine Jones and The Choo Choo Jazzers Josephine Jones (vcl) acc by: unknown (as) (vln) (p) New York, January 25 – Feb 5, 1925 31760 I Wonder What’s Become of Sally? (Yellen - Ager) Ajax 17094- 31763 Just One Word of Consolation (Lamonier - Williams) - Rust and B&GR omit this item Poss BF (as) and prob LH (very faint). Unknown violin – did ES play violin? Mx 31760 is a waltz.

13 Bob Fuller Clarinet Solo Piano and Banjo acc. Bob Fuller (cl solo) acc by: Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, January 25 – Feb 5, 1925 31765 Spread Yo' Stuff (Bernard - Levy) Ajax 17091-B 31766 Funny Feelin' Blues (Ray – Fuller) Ajax 17091-A 31767 Funny Feelin' Blues (Ray – Fuller) Ajax 17091-A Although matrix 31766 is generally shown in discographies for Funny Feelin’ Blues, CB notes that his copy uses matrix 31767 Rust: BF,LH or AR,ES. Kidd,LW: BF,LH,ES. MB confirms personnel.

Josie Miles Josie Miles (vcl) acc by: ?Carson Robison (bj) New York, January 25 – Feb 5, 1925 31769 De Clouds Are Gwine To Roll Away (Robison) Ajax 17092-B 31771 It Ain't Gonna Rain No Mo' (Hall) Ajax 17092-A Rust: u/k white bj. B&GR: u/k white or ES? Not ES. Unknown (white??) or possibly the same man as on 31745. MB suggests the composer credit of Carson Robison on mx 31769 may be a clue to the identity of the banjoist. Credit on 31771 may refer to Robison’s vaudeville partner at the time, Wendell Hall.

Susie Smith and Billy Higgins and The Choo Choo Jazzers -1 Susie Smith and Billy Higgins-2 Monette Moore, Billy Higgins (vcl) duets acc by Rex Stewart (cnt) Louis Hooper (p) New York, January 25 – Feb 5, 1925 31773 How Can I Miss You (Moore) -1 Ajax 17095-B 31775 You Ain't Nothin' To Me (Higgins) -2 Ajax 17095-A Rust, B&GR, Kidd:RS,LH. Miley disco agrees RS. Trumpet is clearly the same as 31755.

Susie Smith and The Choo Choo Jazzers Monette Moore (vcl) acc by: Jake Frazier (tb) Bob Fuller (cl) Louis Hooper (p) unknown (bj) New York, January 25 – Feb 5, 1925 31777 Black Hearse Blues (Jackson - Ray) Ajax 17093-A 31779 Scandal Blues (Jackson - Ray) Ajax 17093-B Rust,B&GR, Kidd: JF,BF,LH. I hear a faint banjo; the “white” guy again?

Slim Jackson Trio Bob Fuller (cl ) Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, February 1925 1353-B Freakish Blues (Hooper - Fuller) Cam 705 1354-A-C Louisville Blues (Mike Jackson) - Rust: BF,LH or AR,ES. Kidd, LW: BF,LH,ES I agree with the latter.

SLIM PERKINS Bob Fuller (cl solo) acc by: Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, February 1925 5859-1 Louisville Blues (Mike Jackson, Bob Ricketts)* Ban 1515- 5860-1 Freakish Blues (Hooper, Fuller)* - Rust, Kidd, LW: BF,LH,ES. Agreed.

JOSIE MILES Josie Miles (vcl) acc by: prob Bubber Miley or Tom Morris (t) poss Jake Frazier (tb-1) Bob Fuller (cl-2) Louis Hooper (p) New York, c. February 18, 1925 5861-1-2 GHOST WALKIN' BLUES (Williams) -2 Ban 1561-B 5862-2 CAN'T BE TRUSTED BLUES (Jones) -1 Ban 1561-A Rust: BM or TM,JF,BF,LH. B&GR: BM or TM,JF?,BF,LH. Rains & Miley disco: unavailable to them. And not available to me either.

ROSA HENDERSON Rosa Henderson (vcl) acc by: Jake Frazier (tb) Bob Fuller (cl) unknown (p) New York, February 19, 1925 380/81 Nobody Knows the Way I Feel ‘Dis Mornin’ (Delaney) Voc A 14995 382/83/84 Penitentiary Bound Blues (Jones) Voc B 14995 Rust, B&GR: JF,BF,LH. The piano seems better than usual, and Kidd omits this session.

Elmer Snowden, Bob Fuller, Louis Hooper, c. 1925. Mark Berresford Collection.

Contemporary Ajax Records newspaper advertisements, courtesy Allan Sutton, Mainspring Press.

Rosa Henderson Rosa Henderson (vcl) acc by: prob Rex Stewart (cnt) Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, February 19, 1925 385/86/87 12th Street Blues (Heagney) Voc B 15011 Rust: u/k cnt,p,bj. B&GR, Kidd: RS,LH,ES. I have some slight doubt over RS.

Bob Fuller Bob Fuller (cl solo) acc by Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, February 19 – Mar 16, 1925 31780 Growin' Old Blues (Lyons - Sullivan) Ajax 17117-A Rust, Kidd, LW: BF,LH,ES. Agreed. First slap tongue in this series!

Jake Frazier Jake Frazier (tb) solo acc by Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, February 19 – Mar 16, 1925 31782 Jake's Weary Blues (Hooper - Frazier) Ajax 17117-B Rust, Kidd: JF,LH,ES. Agreed. Kidd quotes LH saying that credits should have gone to JD and JF!

Susie Smith and The Choo Choo Jazzers Monette Moore (vcl) acc by: Jake Frazier (tb) Bob Fuller (cl) Louis Hooper (p) New York, February 19 – Mar 16, 1925 31785 Crepe Hanger Blues (Spencer Williams) Ajax 17134- Rust, B&GR: JF,BF,LH. Agreed.

Rosa Henderson and Kansas City Four Rosa Henderson (vcl) acc by: prob Rex Stewart (cnt) Bob Fuller (cl) Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, February 19 – Mar 16, 1925 31790 Everything My Sweetie Does (Pleases Me) (Williams - Redman) Ajax 17116-A Rust: LM,BF,LH,ES. B&GR: u/k,BF?,LH?,ES? Miley disco: u/k,BF?,LH?,ES? Seems more like RS to me, Rains agrees but KBR prefers LM. No problems with the others.

Rosa Henderson and The Choo Choo Jazzers Rosa Henderson (vcl) acc by: Rex Stewart (cnt) Jake Frazier (tb) Louis Hooper (p) New York, February 19 – Mar 16, 1925 31795 It Takes a Two Time Papa (To Make a One-Time Mama Mad) (Jackson) Ajax 17116-B Rust, B&GR: RS,JF,LH. Kidd: RS,JF. (sic) I agree with the former.

Josie Miles (Acc. by The Choo Choo Jazzers) Josie Miles (vcl) acc by Bob Fuller (cl) Louis Hooper (p) New York, February 19 – Mar 16, 1925 31801 Give Me Just a Little Bit Of Love (Williams - Palmer) Ajax 17134- Rust: RS,JF,LH. B&GR: BF,LH. No t nor tb present. The artist credit is speculative, as no copy could be located.

Josie Miles (Acc. by The Choo Choo Jazzers) Josie Miles (vcl) acc by: poss Rex Stewart (cnt) Jake Frazier (tb) Louis Hooper (p) New York, February 19 – Mar 16, 1925 31805 At The Cake Walk Stepper's Ball (Williams - Tobias) Ajax 17127-B Rust, B&GR, Kidd: RS,JF,LH. Poss RS, but less vibrato than before. MB feels it is undoubtedly RS.

Monette Moore (Acc. by Texas Trio) – 1 Susie Smith (Acc. By Texas Trio) -2 Monette Moore (vcl) acc by: prob Bob Fuller (hca) poss Louis Hooper (uke) poss Clarence Conaway (banjoline) Joe Davis (train whistle effects-3) New York, February 19 – Mar 16, 1925 31806E Memphis Blues (Handy) -1 Ajax 17124-A 31809 Texas Special Blues (Monette Moore) -2, 3 Ajax 17127-A Rust, B&GR, Kidd: BF,LH,ES. Louis Hooper mentioned Fuller as playing hca here. At least there has been some evidence of LH playing fretted instruments. The banjo is not ES; MB states that it not a bj at all and suggests Clarence Conaway (banjoline).

16 From this session onwards most – but not all – of Ajax recordings are electrically recorded, usually signified by an E suffix, but, sometimes omitted (Bryant). Matrix 31809 is acoustically recorded.

Ethel Ridley (Acc. by The Choo Choo Jazzers) -1 Ethel Ridley Piano and Clarinet acc. -2 Ethel Ridley (vcl) acc by: prob. Rex Stewart (cnt-1) or Bob Fuller (cl-2) Louis Hooper (p) New York, February 19 – Mar 16, 1925 31813 Get It Fixed (Williams) -1 Ajax 17126-A 31814E Low Down Daddy Blues (Brown) -2 Ajax 17126-B Rust, B&GR: RS?,BF,LH. Probably RS. Note 31813 is acoustically recorded and 31814E is electrically recorded.

Monette Moore (Acc. by The Choo Choo Jazzers). Monette Moore (vcl) acc by: poss Rex Stewart (cnt) Louis Hooper (p) New York, February 19 – Mar 16, 1925 31819E All Alone (Berlin) Ajax 17124-B Rust: u/k personnel. B&GR: BM,LH. Miley disco: RS?,LH. Not BM; KBR is sure it is RS.

Elmer Snowden recalled losing bar, cmel, c ss and g in Hollywood Club fire in February 1925.. However, he may play cmel in March, April and September to come. I presume the date of the fire is confirmed, but the dates of the Banner and Ajax recordings in March and April are estimates.(Storyville 91/8)

Billy Higgins (Acc. by The Choo Choo Jazzers) – mx 31820E. Billy Higgins and Alberta Perkins (Acc. by The Choo Choo Jazzers) – mx 31823E. Billy Higgins (vcl-1), duet with Alberta Perkins (vcl-2) acc by: Jake Frazier (tb-1) Bob Fuller (cl-2) prob. Louis Hooper (p) unknown (bj-1) poss Joe Davis (effects-1) New York, February 19 – Mar 16, 1925 31820E Levee Blues (Williams) -1 Ajax 17125-A 31823E I'm Tired of Beggin’ You To Treat Me Right (Williams - Brown) -2 Ajax 17125-B Rust: JF,BF,LH?,ES. B&GR: JF,BF,LH,ES,BH.Kidd: JF,BF,LH,ES,JD Sounds like LH, but not ES.

Kansas City Five [Four on 31831] Rex Stewart (cnt) Jake Frazier (tb) Bob Fuller (cl) Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, February 19 – Mar 16, 1925 31827 Dark Gal Blues (Steve L. Roberts) Ajax 17128-B 31831 Get It Fixed (Spencer Williams) Ajax 17128-A Rust: LM,JF,BF,LH,ES. Kidd: RS,JF,BF,LH,ES. Sounds like the recent “RS” (includes double time, doing a Satchmo?) Definitely ES, who takes a fine solo on Get It Fixed. NB: These are acoustic recordings.

BOB FULLER Bob Fuller (cl) acc by: Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, March 3, 1925 140411-1 BLACK CAT BLUES (Fuller and Hooper) Col 14068-D, Ha 580-H 140411-2 BLACK CAT BLUES (Fuller and Hooper) Col 14068-D 140412-3 TOO BAD JIM (BLUES) (Fuller and Hooper) Col 14068-D, Ha 580-H Rust, Kidd, LW: BF,LH,ES. Agreed.

Three Jolly Miners Banjo - Piano - Clarinet Bob Fuller (cl) Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, March 9, 1925 512/4 Charleston Clarinet Blues (Fuller - Hooper) Voc A 15009 515/8 Freakish Blues (Fuller - Hooper) Voc B 15009 Rust, Kidd, LW: BF,LH,ES. MB agrees but I have not heard these sides.

17 ROSA HENDERSON Rosa Henderson (vcl) acc by: prob Rex Stewart (cnt-3) poss Jake Frazier (tb-1) Bob Fuller (cl-2) poss Edgar Dowell (p) unknown (bj-3) New York, March 20, 1925 577/78/79 Get It Fixed (Williams) -3 Voc A 15044 580/81/82 Low Down Daddy Blues (Brown) -2 Voc B 15011 583/84/85 Poplar Bluff Blues (McKeever - Dowell) -1 Voc B 15044 Rust, B&GR: RS,JF,BF,LH,ES. Kidd: (577)RS,LH,ES, (580)BF,LH (583) Charlie Green, LH. I don’t think the piano is LH, MB suggests ED. The bj plays only on the beat so is not ES.

Rocky Mountain Trio (Clarinet Solo, Bob Fuller). Bob Fuller (cl solo) acc by: Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, c. March 27, 1925 9421 FREAKISH BLUES (Bucket Stomp) (Fuller – Hooper) Gen 3002-A 9422 CHARLESTON CLARINET BLUES (Fuller - Hooper) Gen 3002-B Rust, Kidd, LW: BF,LH,ES. Agreed.

Billy Higgins and Alberta Perkins Billy Higgins and Alberta Perkins (vcl duets) acc by: Louis Hooper (p) New York, March 25 – Apr 1, 1925 31837E Ain’t Trustin’ Nobody No More (Chris Smith) Ajax 17135-A 31838E Nobody Else (Can Take Your Place) (Naylor - Herscher) Ajax 17135-B Rust: omits these. B&GR: u/k instrumentation.

Helen Gross and The Choo Choo Jazzers Helen Gross (vcl) acc by unknown (t) poss Jake Frazier (tb) Louis Hooper (p) unknown (male vcl) New York, March 25 – Apr 1, 1925 31840E Dark Man [You Ain’t Gonna Darken My Life] (Roberts)* Ajax 17133- Rust, B&GR, Kidd: RS,JF,LH. I can’t agree RS. There is an unidentified male vocal; maybe JD or LH?

Ethel Ridley Ethel Ridley (vcl) acc by: Memphis Bob (ukelele-2) or the Choo Choo Jazzers (instrumentation unknown-1) New York, March 25 – Apr 1, 1925 31843E I Ain’t Got Much, But What I Got Oh My -1 (Roberts)* Ajax 17131- 31844E He Was a Good Man [But He’s Dead and Gone] -2 (Miller)* Ajax 17131- Rust, B&GR: BF?, others u/k. I have not heard these records, but might LH be more likely than BF on ukulele? Bryant gives Feb 19 – Mar 16 but this does not fit the matrices

Monette Moore and The Choo Choo Jazzers Monette Moore (vcl) acc by: prob Bubber Miley (t-1) poss Bob Fuller (cl-1,ss-2) prob Elmer Snowden (cmel) Louis Hooper (p) New York, March 25 – Apr 1, 1925 31847E Undertaker’s Blues (Duke Jones) -1 Ajax 17132-A 31848E Black Sheep Blues (Spencer Williams) -2 Ajax 17132-B Rust, B&GR: BM,BF,ES(ts),LH. Kidd: RS,BF,LH. Miley disco: RS?,LH. Probably BM (no vibrato), Rains agrees, but MB is unsure. The ss is stylistically identical to that on the Get-Happy Band session of Sept 1, 1925. On 31847 there is a faint low register cl (Fuller?) throughout, apparently not wishing to be heard. Probably ES on cmel.

SLIM PERKINS Bob Fuller (cl solo) acc by: Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, April, 1925 5908-1-2 CHARLESTON CLARINET BLUES (Hooper - Fuller) Ban 1533-A 5909-1 SPREAD YO’ STUFF (Bernard) Ban 1533-B Rust, Kidd, LW: BF,LH,ES. I have not heard these sides.

Josie Miles (vcl) acc by: Bob Fuller (as) prob Elmer Snowden (cmel) Louis Hooper (p) New York, April 1925 5910-1 Low Down Daddy Blues ( )* Ban 1534- Rust: BF, Ernest Elliott?,LH. B&GR: BF,u/k,LH. The second alto plays rather simply. Elliott was pretty good. Could it instead be ES on cmel, more confident than on 31847, transposing and therefore keeping it simple?

18 Three Jolly Miners Banjo - Piano - Clarinet Clarinet Solo by Bob Fuller Bob Fuller (cl) Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, June 20, 1925 914 Too Bad Jim (Fuller - Hooper) Voc A-15051 917 Black Cat Blues - Bucket Stomp (Fuller - Hooper) Voc B-15051 Rust, Kidd, LW: BF,LH,ES. Agreed. BF is named in the ledger. 917 credits as per label but copyright actually belonged to Charles Fulcher.

The Three Hot Eskimos Bob Fuller (cl) Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, c. July 1, 1925 106121 Black Cat Blues (Fuller - Hooper)* Pathé-Actuelle 036298- 106122 Too Bad Jim! (Blues) (Fuller - Hooper)* Pathé-Actuelle 036298- Rust, Kidd, LW: BF,LH,ES. See previous session note re copyright. I have not heard these sides.

Three Jolly Miners Banjo - Piano - Clarinet Bob Fuller (cl) Louis Hooper or Isadore Myer (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, August 8, 1925 1078/79 Lake George Blues (Fuller - Hooper) Voc B-15087 1080/81 Louisville Blues (Jackson) Voc A-15087 Rust, Kidd: BF,LH,ES. LW: BF,IM?,ES. Label credits BF,LH and Mike Jackson respectively. I have not heard these sides. MB notes that although the pianist’s name has been historically reported as ‘Isadore Myers’ the 1929 American Federation of Musicians Local 802 Directory clearly shows it has ‘Isadore T. Myer.’

Three Jolly Miners Banjo - Piano - Clarinet Bob Fuller (cl) Isadore Myer (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, August 27, 1925 1240/41/42 Plain Old Blues (Fuller - Meyer) Voc A-15111 1243/44/45 Ketch Your Breath (Fuller - Meyer) Voc B-15111 Rust: BF,IM,ES. Kidd: BF,LH,ES. LW: BF,IM?,ES. I have not heard Ketch your breath. The piano is different to that on 20/6/25.

BESSIE SMITH & Her Band Bessie smith (vcl) acc by: Bob Fuller (as) Isadore Myer (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, August 19, 1925 140857-3 Nobody’s Blues But Mine (Clarence Williams) Col 14098-D 140858-3 I Ain’t Got Nobody (Williams and Graham) Col 14095-D Rust, B&GR: BF,IM,ES. Agreed. BF only plays alto. The personnel is taken from the file card.

THREE MONKEY CHASERS Bob Fuller (cl) Isadore Myer (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, August 20, 1925 140855-2 Corn Bread Wiggle (Fuller and Myers) Har 23-H 140856-2 Cocoanut Strut (Fuller and Myers) Har 23-H Rust, LW: BF,IM,ES. Kidd: BF,LH,ES. The personnel is taken from the file card. The dates of this and the previous session seem firm despite the matrices. BF recorded with Clara Smith, Stanley Miller & Buddy Christian on the same day

BOB FULLER Bob Fuller (cl solos) acc by: prob Isadore Myer (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, September 1, 1925 6158 Milenberg Joys (Rappolo – Mares – Morton) Banner 1612-A 6159 Black Cat Blues (Fuller - Hooper) Banner 1612-B Rust, Kidd, LW: BF,LH,ES. I think the piano is IM (it is not LH. This session is shown in Jazz Records as by ‘Slim Perkins’ but that credit only appears on the cut-price Regal issue; the Banner and Domino issues credit as shown.

MAGGIE JONES and Her Jazz Band Maggie Jones (vcl) acc by: Bob Fuller (cl) Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) unknown (train whistle effects) New York, September 17, 1925 140951- I’m A Back Bitin’ Mama Columbia unissued 140952-3 Dallas Blues (Wand and Garrett) Col 14114-D Rust: BF,LH,ES. B&GR: BF,LH,ES (bj,sx). Collinson: not CJ. The personnel is taken from the file card.

19 MAGGIE JONES and Her Jazz Band Maggie Jones (vcl) acc by: Harry Cooper (t) Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, September 18, 1925 140964-3 South Street Blues (Roberts) Col 14114-D Rust, B&GR: Harry Cooper,BF,LH,ES. Collinson: not CJ. Cooper and BF recorded together with Clara Smith one week later. HC had arrived in New York c. 4/25. (Storyville 80/50). The named personnel is taken from the file card.

MAGGIE JONES and Her Band Maggie Jones (vcl) acc by Bob Fuller (cl,as) Elmer Snowden (cmel, bj) Louis Hooper (p) New York, September 18, 1925 140965-3 Never Drive A Beggar From Your Door (Delaney) Col 14127-D Rust: BF,LH,ES. B&GR: BF,LH,ES (bj,as). Collinson: not CJ. BF doubles cl,as. ES plays cmel switching to bj during cl solos. Reed passages are arranged. The personnel is taken from the file card.

Rocky Mountain Trio Bob Fuller (cl) Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, c. September 18, 1925 9733-A Ketch Your Breath (Fuller, Myer)* Gen unissued 9734-A,B Old Man’s Charleston (Fuller, Hooper*) Gen unissued Rust, LW: BF,LH,ES.

Arthur Ray on tour with Margaret Johnson in Detroit. Tour continues to at least 6/2/26, and Ray may not have returned to New York at all. (Storyville 2002-3). Jake Frazier’s tour with Gonzell White ended this month.

Three Jolly Miners Banjo - Piano - Clarinet Bob Fuller (cl) Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, September 21, 1925 E-1377/8 Old Man’s Charleston (Fuller - Hooper) Voc A-15141 E-1379/80 Texas Shuffle (Fuller - Hooper) Voc B-15141 Rust, Kidd, LW: BF,LH,ES. I have not heard these sides.

THE GET-HAPPY BAND poss Tom Morris (t) poss Joe Nanton (tb) poss Bob Fuller (ss,as) Porter Grainger (p) prob Elmer Snowden (bj) unknown (d) New York, September 21, 1925 141024-3 Puddin' Papa (Gray) Col 14099-D 141025-2 On The Puppy's Tail (Grainger) Col 14099-D Rust: TM,JN,BF,PG,ES? Rains endorses TM. It has been suggested that BF,PG,ES may have taken part in a Sam Manning session for Columbia on the same day. Columbia file cards name Grainger, but the alto saxophonist sounds like a Caribbean musician and is somewhat more proficient than Fuller! This session and the personnel remains very controversial; KBR strongly prefers Buddy Christian as bj.

BOB FULLER Bob Fuller (cl solos) acc by: Louis Hooper (p) Elmer Snowden (bj) New York, September 23, 1925 141037-2 Grand Opera Blues (Fuller and Hooper) Col 14120-D 141038-3 Pig Alley Stomp (Williams) Col 14120-D Rust, Kidd, LW: BF,LH,ES. The personnel is from the file cards.

MAGGIE JONES and Her Band -1 MAGGIE JONES and Her Jazzers -2. Maggie Jones (vcl) acc by: Bob Fuller (cl,as) Elmer Snowden (cmel, bj-1) Louis Hooper (p) New York, September 29, 1925 140951-4 I’m A Back Bitin’ Mama (Delaney) -1 Col 14127-D 141056-1 Single Woman's Blues (Jones) -2 Col 14102-D 141057-D Never Tell A Woman Friend (Troy and Dowell) -2 Col 14102-D Rust: BF,LH,ES. B&GR: BF,LH,ES (bj,sx). Kidd: BF,u/k(ts),LH. Collinson: not CJ. On this track the reeds play an arrangement, but not on the other two tracks. The bj is heard during cl solos only. The personnel is taken from the file card.

TO BE CONTINUED…