Eva Taylor

Eva Taylor

Source: Black Kudos

Born Irene Joy Gibbons in 1895 in St. Louis, Eva Taylor, the Dixie Nightingale, was an early popular singer who mixed it up with blues and jazz. She made her debut recording in September 1922 with Black Swan Records in NYC: 'New Moon'. She had married pianist, Clarence Williams, the previous year. Taylor also recorded as Irene Gibbons.

'New Moon'   Eva Taylor

Recorded c Sep 1922 in NYC   Black Swan 2103

Cornet: Johnny Dunn   Clarinet: Garvin Bushell   Piano: Clarence Williams

Composition: Clarence Williams

'Pile of Logs and Stones (Called Home)'   Eva Taylor

Recorded c 22 Jan 1926 in NYC   Okeh 8286

Clarence Williams' Blue Five:

Cornet: Bubber Miley   Trombone: Charlie Irvis

Alto sax: Otto Hardwick or Don Redman   Piano: Clarence Williams

Banjo: Leroy Harris (?)   Tuba: Henry "Bass" Edwards (?)

Composition: Flournoy E. Miller

'Chlo-e (Song of the Swamp)'   Eva Taylor

Recorded 2 June 1928 in NYC   Okeh 8585

Cornet: Ed Allen   Clarinet / sax: Buster Bailey   Flute: Albert Socarras

Piano: Clarence Williams   Cello: David Martin

Music: Neil Morét (Charles Daniels)   Lyrics: Gus Kahn

'I'm Busy and You Can't Come In'   Eva Taylor as Irene Gibbons

Recorded 18 Sep 1928 in NYC   Matrix 147012-2   Columbia 14362-D

Clarence Williams Jazz Band:

Cornet: King Oliver   Clarinet: Omer Simeon

Piano: Clarence Williams   Guitar: Eddie Lang

Composition: Clarence Williams

'Jeannine I Dream of Lilac Time'   Eva Taylor as Irene Gibbons

Recorded 18 Sep 1928 in NYC   Matrix 147013-2   Columbia 14362-D

Clarence Williams Jazz Band:

Cornet: King Oliver   Clarinet: Omer Simeon

Piano: Clarence Williams   Guitar: Eddie Lang

Music: Nathaniel Shilkret   Lyrics: L. Wolfe Gilbert

In addition to recording Taylor performed on Broadway and radio, having her own show, 'Cavalcade', in 1929 with NBC. She largely retired from the music industry in the forties. Lord traces her last recording of this period to 'Uncle Sammy Here I Am' on 22 October 1941 with Williams' Blue Five. The United States had effectively declared war on Germany and Italy the month before. World War II would go full swing on both fronts in December 1941 upon the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on the 7th.

'Uncle Sammy Here I Am'   Eva Taylor

Recorded 24 Oct 1941 in NYC   Bluebird B11368

Clarence Williams' Blue Five:

Piano: James P. Johnson   Guitar: Grace Harper / Nathan Barlow

Bass: Wellman Braud   Vocal: Clarence Williams

Music: James P. Johnson   Lyrics: Flournoy E. Miller

Taylor resumed her career upon the death of her husband, Williams, in 1965, Lord picking her up again in 1967 on tour in England. Tours to Copenhagen and Stockholm followed in 1973 and 1976 [Lord]. Lord traces her to as late as 5 of October 1976 at the Edison National Historic Site where she put away 'Baby, won't you please come home?'. Lord differs from both Diamond Cut Productions and Discogs on her final recording date at the same location given by the latter as 30 March 1977. Titles below are Taylor in Copenhagen sometime in 1975. Her voice is wanting some punch but she was 79 to 80 years old at the time. All are the same concert listed alphabetically and labeled a film where what seems lip-syncing is near enough to think it not.

'I Found a New Baby'   Eva Taylor   Film

With Maggie´s Blue Five and the Peruna Jazzmen in Copenhagen   1975

Composition: Jack Palmer / Spencer Williams

'Living High'   Eva Taylor

With Maggie´s Blue Five and the Peruna Jazzmen in Copenhagen   1975

Music: Maceo Pinkard   Lyrics: Alex Belledna

'Mandy Make Up Your Mind'   Eva Taylor

With Maggie´s Blue Five and the Peruna Jazzmen in Copenhagen   1975

Music: George Meyer / Arthur Johnston 1924   Lyrics: Grant Clarke / Roy Turk

'Santa Claus Blues'   Eva Taylor

With Maggie´s Blue Five and the Peruna Jazzmen in Copenhagen   1975

Composition: Charley Straight / Gus Kahn

'Sister Kate'   Eva Taylor   Film

With Maggie´s Blue Five and the Peruna Jazzmen in Copenhagen   1975

Composition: Charley Straight / Gus Kahn

Taylor died on 31 October 1977 in New York.