Jass Band, November 1917

[Odeon]

Article from November 1917. Little hard to read, but very interesting.

April 1917

[welshfield]

A fantastic article from the Sun--an interesting combination of fact and fancy. And a wonderful insight into the attitudes of the period. It is interesting that the editor uses the spelling "jazz" this early in the era, even though the band uses "jass."

[52089]

Fascinating to see an ad that is specifically for the first jazz record ever released! Also very interesting to see the music described as "hilarious"! Thanks for sharing.

I've seen "jazz" spelled "jass" and "jas" on records. Collins and Harlan of all people are credited with the first use of the word "jass" on a record when they released "That Funny Jass Band from Dixieland". Interestingly, later pressings of the title changed it to "jazz".

[VintageTechnologies]

I love and collect the earliest Jass records, but some of it (e.g. Fuller's) is an acquired taste for modern ears. It must have seemed even more radical and chaotic back then!

That Funny Jass Band from Dixieland - Collins and Harlan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr8TCVov2cY

Arthur Fields - "Everybody Loves A Jass Band"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_XhNYjcPIU

Original Dixieland Jass Band - 1st recordings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WojNaU4-kI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pt7Nps3_Go

Earl Fuller's Famous Jazz Band - 1st recording
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L1ZoAik62o

[Wolfe]

Fascinating to see an ad that is specifically for the first jazz record ever released! Also very interesting to see the music described as "hilarious"! Thanks for sharing.

That Livery Stable Blues on a clean unworn pressing sounds great played loud on modern equipment. "Hot" in recording parlance.

I enjoy the early Jass records, too. Especially the more undefined ones that throw in everything but the elephants bananas.

[edisonplayer]

One of my favorite records is "Alexander's Got A Jazz Band Now"by Gene Greene.It's backed with "Cleopatra Had A Jazz Band"sung by Sam Ash.The record's on Columbia.Does anyone have it?It's a very nice disc edisonplayer

[marcapra]

I agree with Wolfe! I have some early N.O.D.J.B records and that Livery Stable Blues knocks you out with how good it sounds and how loud. It sounds like pure creation, as new and glistening as the morning dew forming on a budding rose! In other words, it doesn't sound old and tired and commercial.

[Henry]

The CD reissue sounds pretty good, too (from Victor 18255, as released on BMG/RCA 61098-2, the 75th anniversary album issued in 1992). Footnote: despite the CD's 75th anniversary subtitle, only the first ODJB release, containing Livery Stable Blues and Dixieland Jass Band One-Step, dates to 1917; the other early ones are from 1918 and later, according to the CD discography. Close enough for jazz (or jass), as the saying goes.

[edisonplayer]

[quote="edisonplayer"]One of my favorite records is "Alexander's Got A Jazz Band Now"by Gene Greene.It's backed with "Cleopatra Had A Jazz Band"sung by Sam Ash.The record's on Columbia.Does anyone have it?It's a very nice disc .The number is A2472. edisonplayer

[Henry]

Here's where it all started: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/09/books ... 33262&_r=0