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I understand that Edison resisted popular jazz music for a while, but I was wondering when Edison records finally relented. I would also like to know what jazz groups he signed to his label. The Edison records I have are fun, but having a few jazz tunes would be more to my taste. Thanks.

You may want to search on Youtube for "Edison diamond disc jazz" or "Edison blue Amberol jazz" or similar strings. You'll find quite a representation of what's available.

Also be aware that Edison's house bands were usually better known bands recording under a pseudonym. For example, the Broadway Dance Orch. was usually Vincent Lopez, and the Golden Gate Orch. was usually the California Ramblers.

Probably jazz on Edison began around 1917 with the Frisco Jass Band. Other jazz bands recorded for Edison: Earl Fuller's Jazz Band, Raderman's Jazz Orchestra, Lousiana Five, Georgia Melodians, Lopez Orchestra, Golden Gate Orchestra, and more...

Doug

The Golden Gate Orchestra (California Ramblers) is my favorite. Here are some samples.

https://archive.org/details/CaliforniaR ... stra-01-25

They had some amazing talent, including at times Red Nichols and the then young Dorsey brothers.

Of course I am not the only one who really likes the GGO, so their Diamond Discs generally sell at a premium if in decent condition.

Clay

FellowCollector wrote:Probably jazz on Edison began around 1917 with the Frisco Jass Band. Other jazz bands recorded for Edison: Earl Fuller's Jazz Band, Raderman's Jazz Orchestra, Lousiana Five, Georgia Melodians, Lopez Orchestra, Golden Gate Orchestra, and more...

Doug

?? I thought the earliest jazz recordings were the Jan. 1917 ODJB sides. At least that's what the books have said for years. When were these Frisco recordings made?

Try looking for Brian Rust’s books. They will help de-code some of those cryptic names on the labels. Jazz on Edison is a little bit harder to find but it’s out there. A little research and digging goes a long way; it’s all part of the hobby.

Henry wrote:? I thought the earliest jazz recordings were the Jan. 1917 ODJB sides. At least that's what the books have said for years. When were these Frisco recordings made?

The question asked in the original post was:

audiophile102 wrote:I understand that Edison resisted popular jazz music for a while, but I was wondering when Edison records finally relented

According to the Edison National Historical Park, "Johnson "Jass" Blues" was recorded by Friscoe "Jass" Band, Matrix number: 5553-C-2-1, on May 10, 1917. It was released over one year later on Edison Diamond Disc in July 1918 with catalog #50470-L.

So...yes, it would appear that ODJB was first but if the above mentioned Edison recording could be considered "jazz" on Edison then the first Edison jazz recording would have been in 1917 as I mentioned in the earlier post.

Doug

Also "jazz" is a loaded word. A lot of people today would not consider records by B. A. Rolfe, Duke Yellman, The Golden Gate orchestra, etc. "jazz". But to people in the jazz-age twenties, music that was called "hot dance" and was syncopated, was jazz, such as Paul Whiteman. When you look at the Victor, Columbia, and Edison record catalogs, even in 1929, there is no music category called "Jazz". The "real" jazz in the twenties was coming from the likes of Louis Armstrong, Bix Biederbecke, Jelly-Roll Morton, and King Oliver, etc. who did not record for Edison.

If I recall correctly, the Golden Gate Orchestra is actually the California Ramblers.

Edison started issuing much better dance music when Theodore Edison took over the job of approving the popular artists.

There were a few black jazz bands that recorded on Edison, I'm surprised that they have not been mentioned yet. They were Fletcher Henderson and his orchestra, Charlie Skeete's and Wilbur Sweatman. Pianist Lemuel Fowler and his band did some fine backup to one of the blues singers on Edison also. Others have mentioned the fine records by the Golden Gate Orchestra and the Georgia Melodians, these are some of my favorites for jazz on Edison too.