HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Buster Bailey

Birth of Jazz: Buster Bailey

Buster Bailey
Source: Last.FM

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, on 19 July 1902, though Buster Bailey (not to be confused w the drummer born 20 years later) also played alto and soprano sax his main instrument was clarinet. He also had a talent for surrounding himself with the biggest names in blues and jazz, but a few among them being double bassist, John Kirby (1934 to 1946), the Mills Blue Rhythm Band (1934-35), Henry Red Allen (1935), Roy Eldridge (1936), Teddy Wilson, Billie Holiday, Willie Smith (1937), Maxine Sullivan (1937-38), Midge Williams and Her Jesters (1937-38), Rosetta Howard (1938), Red Norvo (1938), Mildred Bailey (1938-39), Wingy Manone (1939) and Wild Bill Davison (1961-62). As a leader he ran the Seven Chocolate Dandies and the Rhythm Busters in the thirties, as well as other configurations like his Sextet in 1940.

Bailey began his professional career in 1917 with the WC Handy Orchestra at age fifteen. After touring with that band for a couple years he joined Mamie Smith and her Jazz Hounds, his first recordings with that outfit in two sessions on February 21, 1921, recording 'Jazzbo Ball', 'What Have I Done', 'That Thing Called Love' and 'Old Time Blues'. Bailey accompanied Smith on clarinet on several more tracks into January of 1923 (at least one on alto sax in 1921 as well). He then joined the Erskine Tate Vendome Orchestra, recording 'Cutie Blues' and 'Chinaman Blues' with that band on June 23, 1923. That same year Bailey laid a few tracks with Joe King Oliver's band. Meeting Louis Armstrong in Oliver's band, he followed Armstrong from Chicago to New York, there to join Fletcher Henderson's orchestra in 1924, recording numerously with Henderson that year. (He had already laid a couple tracks with Henderson's Novelty Orchestra in June of 1921 with vocalist, Katie Crippen.) Also in 1924 Bailey contributed to tunes for Ma Rainey, Alberta Hunter, Clarence Williams, the Red Onion Jazz Babies (with Louis and Lil Armstrong), Trixie Smith, Bessie Smith (with whom he would record numerously) and Clara Smith. In 1925 Bailey began recording extensively with both Henderson and Williams (as well as others) into the latter thirties. In 1927 Bailey toured Europe with Noble Sissle's band, of which he would also be a member from 1931 to 1934.

'Jazzbo Ball' Buster Bailey at clarinet w Mamie Smith & Her Jazz Hounds

Recorded c 21 Feb 1921 in NYC Matrix 7788-B

Bailey's 1st recording Issued on Okeh 4295

Cornet: Johnny Dunn Trombone: Unknown / Harry Hull or Chink Johnson

Piano: Phil Worde Violin: Leroy Parker Drums: Unknown

Composition by Marion Dickerson

'What Have I Done?' Buster Bailey at clarinet w Mamie Smith & Her Jazz Hounds

Recorded c 21 Feb 1921 in NYC Matrix 7789-C

Bailey's 2nd recording Issued on Okeh 4351

Cornet: Johnny Dunn Trombone: Unknown / Harry Hull or Chink Johnson

Piano: Phil Worde Violin: Leroy Parker Drums: Unknown

Composition by Andy Razaf / J.C. Johnson

'Cutie Blues' Buster Bailey at clarinet and alto sax w Erskine Tate's Vendome Orchestra

Recorded 23 June 1923 in Chicago Matrix 8399-A toward OKeh 4907

Cornet: Freddie Keppard / James Tate Tenor sax: Norval Morton Trombone: Fayette Williams

Piano: Adrian Robinson Banjo: Erskine Tate Drums: Jimmy Bertrand

Composition by Gene Burdette

'Chinaman Blues' Buster Bailey at clarinet and alto sax w Erskine Tate's Vendome Orchestra

Recorded 23 June 1923 in Chicago Matrix 8400-A toward OKeh 4907

Cornet: Freddie Keppard / James Tate Tenor sax: Norval Morton Trombone: Fayette Williams

Piano: Adrian Robinson Banjo: Erskine Tate Drums: Jimmy Bertrand

Composition by Gene Burdette

Bailey first appeared in film in 1933 as of 'That's the Spirit'.

Medley Buster Bailey at clarinet and tenor sax w Noble Sissle & Band

Film: 'That's the Spirit' 1933

Trumpet: Clarence Brereton / Wendell Culley Alto sax: Ralph Duquesne

Tenor sax / clarinet: Rudy Jackson Tenor sax: Ramon Usera

Trombone: Wilbur DeParis Piano: Lloyd Pinckney

Guitar: Edward Coles Bass / tuba: Edward Coles Drums / vocals: Jack Carter

Tap dancing / vocals: Cora LaReed Vocals: Noble Sissle

'Wrappin´It Up' Buster Bailey at clarinet w the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra

Recorded 12 Sep 1934 in NYC toward Decca 157 B

Trumpet: Russell Smith / Irving Randolph / Red Allen Tenor sax: Ben Webster

Alto sax / clarinet: Hilton Jefferson / Russell Procope Trombone: Claude Jones / Keg Johnson

Piano: Horace Henderson Guitar: Lawrence Lucie Bass: Elmer James Drums: Walter Johnson

Composition by Fletcher Henderson

'Call of the Delta' Buster Bailey at clarinet w His Seven Chocolate Dandies

Recorded 28 Dec 1934 toward Vocalion 2887

Trumpet: Red Allen Alto sax: Benny Carter Trombone: J.C.Higginbotham

Piano: Charlie Beal Guitar: Danny Barker Bass: Elmer James Drums: Walter Johnson

Composition: Buster Bailey / Irving Mills Arrangement: Fletcher Henderson

'Sloe Jam Fizz' Buster Bailey at clarinet w His Rhythm Busters

Recorded 18 Feb 1938 toward Vocalion 4089

Trumpet: Charlie Shavers Piano: Billy Kyle

Composition: Buster Bailey / Irving Mills

'Cheatin' on Me' Buster Bailey at clarinet w Red Allen & His Sextet

Recorded 13 Oct 1939 toward Decca 7666

Vocal: Helen Proctor Trumpet: Red Allen Piano: Lil Armstrong

Guitar: Ulysses Livingston Bass: Wellman Braud Drums: Sid Catlett or O´Neil Spencer

Composition: Lew Pollack / Jack Yeller

In 1947 he appeared in 'Sepia Cinderella' with Kirby. Continuing his longstanding friendship with Armstrong, in 1965 Bailey joined the All Stars. That same year they appeared together in the film, 'When the Boys Meet the Girls'.