Pre-war 12" Jazz Records

[audiophile102]

Pardon my ignorance, but I was hoping someone could enlighten me about 12" jazz records. When did the record companies start selling 12" jazz records? I have a small, but nice collection of hot 10" jazz from the late 20's and the early 30's and I would like to add a few 12" records. All I am finding is 40's music. Thanks.

[Roaring20s]

That's a great question. I too have only seen 12" jazz from the 40's.

The closest 12" records that's are bit jazzy in my collection are:

Paul Whitman and his Ambassador Orchestra, 35703
Grieving For You - Feather Your Nest / My Wonder Girl - Coral Sea
A youtube for the audio.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyFNLP-LYLU

Too is, Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra, 35744 - Mandalay & Step Henrietta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJRL2QWnB7M

James.

[phonojim]

There aren't any 12" American jazz records from the 1920s that I know of. Whiteman made some 12" sides - "Sweet Sue" for example, which featured a hot chorus by Bix in the middle of an otherwise overblown arrangement of a pop song. Red Nichols did a similar thing on Brunswick which featured snippets of the Five Pennies in the same manner. The only examples of early jazz on 12" that I know of are some sides that were recorded by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band during their tour of England, ca. 1918. These are extremely rare in the USA and I would imagine in England as well. I have been a serious fan of early jazz for over 45 years, have never seen one and have only heard one of the sides.

Jim

[Wolfe]

Been trying to think of one 1920's 12" jazz record that I might have or have seen and can't think of one - unless you count "The King of Jazz" Paul Whiteman. The 1930's are a little greyer.

Good question to address.

[VintageTechnologies]

Most conventional pop and jazz in the twenties was written for a 3 minute duration, so a 10 inch record was sufficient. A lot of the arrangements written for Edison were stretched to 4 minutes though. A 10 inch DD had even more playing time than a 12 inch 78.

[CarlosV]

A lot of the arrangements written for Edison were stretched to 4 minutes though. A 10 inch DD had even more playing time than a 12 inch 78.

Based on the criteria of record duration, Phil Napoleon's Tiger Rag recorded for Edison in the 20's qualifies, as well as the Memphis Five 4-minute Blue Amberol record.

Duke Ellington recorded St Louis Blues with Bing Crosby (with Creole Love Call on the flip side) on a 12 inch Columbia in the early thirties. It is the earliest 12 inch (real) jazz record I am aware of.

[Wolfe]

^I have that Creole Love Call I believe. SLB with the Bingster is the flip side. Pressed on later a 12" red microphone label Columbia.

I wonder about some other things I have, like certain 12 " Commodores that may be from the 30's. Not digging them out to check though.

[Roaring20s]

I wonder about some other things I have, like certain 12 " Commodores that may be from the 30's.

Yes! this is 1938
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUqF4Dx4FwM

[estott]

There are a lot of "Symphonic" 12 inch jazz records, but probably not the sort of thing you want- there is a wide spectrum of Jazz: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ0bsq7GJws[/youtube]

[Pathe Logical]

Does a 12" 1923 Okeh 3055 by Eva Taylor accompanied by Clarence Williams' Blue Five count? Farewell Blues https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tknr-E4DNTY paired with Gulf Coast Blues https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPE0uz1ImB8. A blues singer backed by a great jazz band. I pick up two stunning copies years ago --- really nice songs!

Bob