HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Lovie Austin & Her Blues Serenaders

Birth of the Blues: Lovie Austin

Lovie Austin

Born on 19 September 1887 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, pianist, Lovie Austin, studied music at Roger Williams University and Knoxville College in Knoxville before joining Ida Cox in Chicago to make her first recordings in June of 1923 for 'Any Woman's Blues', ''Bama Bound Blues' and 'Lovin' Is the Thing I'm Wild About'. That same month Austin's ensemble, the Blues Serenaders, backed Cox on 'Graveyard Dream Blues' and 'Weary Way Blues'. Austin and Cox would record numerous tracks together to 1926.

'Any Woman's Blues' Lovie Austin backing Ida Cox

Recorded June 1923 in Chicago Paramount 12053

Composition: Lovie Austin

Among other vocalists Austin's Serenaders early supported was Ma Rainey, their first session together in December of 1923 for tracks like 'Bo-Weavil Blues' and 'Those All Night Long Blues'. Austin led her own first session with her Blues Serenaders in Chicago circa November 1924 for the titles 'Steppin' On the Blues' and 'Traveling Blues' issued on Paramount 12255. Tom Lord traces Austin to as late as March of 1929 for 'Dentist Chair Blues' with Hattie McDaniel and Papa Charlie Jackson, that her last recording session for another sixteen years as she would assume the role for the next couple of decades as musical director for the Monogram Theater in Chicago.

'Bo-weavil Blues' Lovie Austin & Her Blues Serenaders backing Ma Rainey

2nd of 4 sessions in Dec 1923 in Chicago Matrix 1597-2 Paramount 12080

Cornet: Tommy Ladnier Clarinet: Jimmy O'Bryant

Composition: Lovie Austin / Ma Rainey

'Last Minute Blues' Lovie Austin & Her Blues Serenaders backing Ma Rainey

3rd of 4 sessions in Dec 1923 in Chicago Matrix 1609-2 Paramount 12080

Cornet: Tommy Ladnier Clarinet: Jimmy O'Bryant

Composition: Thomas Dorsey

'Steppin' On the Blues' Lovie Austin & Her Blues Serenaders 1st name session

Recorded c Nov 1924 in Chicago Paramount 12255

Cornet: Tommy Ladnier Clarinet: Jimmy O'Bryant

Composition: O'Bryant / Austin / Ladnier

'Don't Shake It No More' Lovie Austin & Her Blues Serenaders

Recorded Aug 1925 in Chicago Matrix 2219-1 Paramount 12300

Cornet: Tommy Ladnier Clarinet: Jimmy O'Bryant Drums: W.E. Burton

Composition: Thomas Dorsey

'Too Sweet for Words' Lovie Austin & Her Blues Serenaders

Recorded Aug 1925 in Chicago Matrix 2222-2 Paramount 12313

Cornet: Tommy Ladnier Clarinet: Jimmy O'Bryant Drums: W.E. Burton

Composition: Ezra Howlett Shelton

'Dentist Chair Blues' Part 1 of 2 Lovie Austin backing Hattie McDaniel

Recorded March 1929 in Chicago Paramount 12751 Document DOCD5089

Guitar / vocal: Papa Charlie Jackson

Composition: Lamoore / Laura Bryant

In 1946 Austin found reason to back Bertha "Chippie" Hill in Chicago on titles like 'Trouble in Mind' and 'Careless Love'. She then went another fifteen years before backing Alberta Hunter in 1961 toward the album , 'Alberta Hunter with Lovie Austin's Blues Serenaders' released on Riverside.