Monday, April 08, 1991

Memphis Jug Band

Memphis Jug Band
USA
Blues

Memphis Jug Band was an American musical group active from the mid-1920s to the late 1950s. The band featured harmonica, kazoo, fiddle and mandolin or banjolin, backed by guitar, piano, washboard, washtub bass and jug. They played slow blues, pop songs, humorous songs and upbeat dance numbers with jazz and string band flavors. The band made the first commercial recordings in Memphis, Tennessee, and recorded more sides than any other prewar jug band.
Beginning in 1926, African-American musicians in the Memphis area grouped around the singer, songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player Will Shade (also known as Son Brimmer or Sun Brimmer). The personnel of the band varied from day to day, with Shade booking gigs and arranging recording sessions. The band was as a training ground for musicians who would go on make careers of their own.


Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1 (1991) 1927-1928
Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2 (1991) 1928-1929
Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 3 (1991) 1930