Harry Macdonough

Miff Mole Supplies Early Jazz with (Little) Molers

Birth of Jazz: Miff Mole

Miff Mole

Born on 11 March 1898 in Roosevelt, New York, Dixieland trombonist, Miff Mole, may have first recorded as a member of the Original New Orleans Jazz Band circa March 1919. In January 1919 Jimmy Durante's Original New Orleans Jazz Band had recorded 'He's Had No Lovin' for a Long, Long Time' with 'Ja-Da Medley' issued on Gennett 4508 A and B. Frank Lhotak was trombonist on those. Mole may have replaced Lhotak for sessions in March 1919 of the same titles also issued as Gennett 4508 A and B. The March titles, however, were reissued on Ristic 2.

'He’s Had No Lovin’ for a Long, Long Time' Jimmy Durantes' Original New Orleans Jazz Band

Recorded March 1919 Gennett 4508-A Reissued on Ristic 2

Trombone: Possibly Mole replacing Frank Lhotak

Composition: William Tracey / Maceo Pinkard

'Ja-Da Medley' Jimmy Durantes' Original New Orleans Jazz Band

Recorded March 1919 Gennett 4508-B Reissued on Ristic 2

Trombone: Possibly Mole replacing Frank Lhotak

Composition: Bob Carleton

Lord next has Mole backing Leona Williams (not easily confused with the later C&W singer) on six tunes in three sessions in 1922 before his first tracks with the Original Memphis Five recorded in April 1922: 'Gypsy Blues' and 'My Honey's Lovin' Arms'. The Original Memphis Five had been around since 1917, put together by Phil Napoleon (trumpet) and Frank Signorelli (piano). The band also recorded by other names such as Jazzbo's Carolina Serenaders.

'Cuddle Up Blues' Jazzbo's Carolina Serenaders (Original Memphis Five)

Recorded 22 April 1922 in NYC Cameo 218

Composition: M.K. Jerome / Harry De Costa

Mole was in big demand backing countless groups and musicians in the twenties, including Ladd's Black Aces, the Ambassadors, Sam Lanin, the Cotton Pickers, Bailey's Lucky Seven, Ray Miller, the Hottentots, Lou Gold, Perry's Hot Dogs and Roger Wolfe Kahn. The Cotton Pickers aren't to be confused with drummer, Will McKinney's, Cotton Pickers. The former was a Brunswick label band specializing in foxtrot blues or otherwise from there. Its original bandleader was trumpeter, Phil Napoleon, and first recorded in the summer of 1922. McKinney's Cotton Pickers were formed in 1922 but didn't record for Victor until 1928 with McKinney absent from the roster by then.

'Rampart Street Blues' Miff Mole w the Cotton Pickers

Recorded 19 Sep 1923 in NYC Matrix 11356-11358 Brunswick 2486 A

Composition: J. Russel Robinson

'Back O' Town Blues' Miff Mole w the Cotton Pickers

Recorded 19 Sep 1923 in NYC Matrix 11359-11361 Brunswick 2486 B

Composition: Herbie Herbedeaux / L. M. Berbedeaux

'Bass Ale Blues' Miff Mole w the Original Memphis Five

Recorded 17 Sep 1925 in NYC Victor 19805

Composition: Phil Napoleon / Frank Signorelli

'Throw Down Blues' Miff Mole w the Original Memphis Five

Recorded 7 Oct 1925 in NYC Col 480-D

Composition: Phil Napoleon / Frank Signorelli

Mole performed with numerous of the biggest names in early white jazz. Of particular note is Red Nichols (cornet/trumpet) whom Lord has joining Mole in Bailey's Lucky Seven as early as December of 1923. Mole and Nichols recorded together in several operations including that of Sam Lanin, the Cotton Pickers, the Hottentots, Lou Gold and Jay C. Flippen & His Gang. Flippen was a vaudeville vocalist living from 1899 to 1971 who later became far more famous as a film and television star. Lord has Mole with Nichol's Five Pennies as early as October of 1925. Mole also recorded with Nichols' Red Heads in November, issuing 'Fallen Arches', 'Nervous Charlie' and 'Headin' for Louisville'. Nichols began supporting Mole's Molers the next year. Miff's (Little) Molers were basically what Mole and Nichols called their band while recording for Okeh.

'She Knows Her Onions' Miff Mole & Red Nichols w Jay C. Flippen & His Gang

Recorded Sep 1926 in NYC [Rust] Pathe 32218 Perfect 12297 A

Composition: Jack Yellen / Milton Ager / Lew Pollack

'How Could Red Riding Hood' Miff Mole & Red Nichols w Jay C. Flippen & His Gang

Recorded Nov 1926 in NYC [Rust] Pathe 32218 Perfect 12297 B

Composition: Randolph

'One Sweet Letter From You' Miff Mole & Red Nichols backing Sophie Tucker

Recorded 15 April 1927 in NYC OKeh 40813 Also Parlophone UK & Australia

Music: Harry Warren Lyrics: Lew Brown / Sidney Clare

'All by My Ownsome' Miff Mole w Roger Wolfe Kahn & His Orchestra

Vocal: Franklyn Baur

Recorded 14 July 1927 in NYC Victor 20828

Music: Roger Wolfe Kahn Lyrics: Al Dubin

'My Gal Sal' Miff Mole & His Little Molers including Red Nichols

Recorded 1 Sep 1927 in NYC Okeh 40932

Composition: Paul Dresser

'Shim-Me-Sha-Wabble' Miff Mole & His Little Molers including Red Nichols

Recorded 6 July 1928 in NYC Okeh 41445

Composition: Spencer Williams

'You're the Cream in My Coffee' Miff Mole & His Little Molers including Red Nichols

Recorded 26 Nov 1928 in NYC Okeh 41153 Also Parlophone & Odeon

Composition: Buddy De Sylva / Lew Brown / Ray Henderson

'After You've Gone' Miff Mole & His Little Molers including Red Nichols

Recorded 24 Sep 1929 in NYC Okeh 41445

Composition: Henry Creamer / Turner Layton

'Strut Miss Lizzie' Miff Mole w Irving Mills & his Hotsy Totsy Gang

Vocal: Dick Robertson

Recorded 6 June 1930 in NYC Brunswick 4983

Composition: Henry Creamer / Turner Layton

Mole had begun working in radio in 1927, first WOR in New York City, then NBC until 1938. He then joined Paul Whiteman's orchestra for a couple of years, followed by working with Benny Goodman until 1943. Mole performed largely in Chicago after that until 1954. He died on 29 April 1961 in NYC.

Sources & References for Miff Mole:

78 RPM Record Spins

Steven Cerra

Ate van Delden (Adrian Rollini / University Press of Mississippi 2020)

VF History (notes)

Scott Yanow

Wikipedia

Recordings by Miff Mole: Discographies:

45 Worlds

Discogs (Miff Mole)

Discogs (Miff Mole & His [Little] Molers)

SecondHandSongs