The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

VintageTechnologies wrote: 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.

^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.

Wolfe wrote: 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

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]

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