Anson Weeks

Anson Weeks (February 14, 1896, Oakland, California – February 7, 1969, Sacramento, California) was an American pianist and the leader of a popular west coast dance band from the late 1920s through the 1960s, primarily in San Francisco. He made his first recording in Oakland on February 7, 1925, but it was not issued.

He formed his first band in 1924 and had key hotel jobs in Oakland and Sacramento. By the late 1920s he led a popular regional orchestra and started recording for Columbia in 1928. He garnerered favorable attention in late 1931 on the "Lucky Strike Magic Carpet" radio program. His vocalists included Art Wilson, Harriet Lee, Donald Novis, Bob Crosby, Carl Ravazza, Kay St. Germaine, and Bob Gage. In 1932, he signed with Brunswick and recorded prolifically for them through 1935. During this time, his was one of Brunswick's premier bands and was nationally popular. He later did a session for Decca in 1937.

Weeks was involved in an auto accident in 1941 and was out of the band business for several years, starting up again in the late 1940s. He signed with the local Fantasy label in the early 1950s and did a series of dance albums (Dancin' With Anson) that were quite popular regionally (and were still in the catalog through the 1970s).

His songs include "I'm Writing You This Little Melody" (theme song), "I'm Sorry Dear", "Senorita", "That Same Old Dream", and "We'll Get A Bang Out Of Life".

Birth and Death Data: Born February 14, 1896 (Oakland), Died February 7, 1969 (Sacramento)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1925 - 1937

Roles Represented in DAHR: leader, composer, songwriter, piano, lyricist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-44 of 44 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia W151855 10-in. 10/13/1931 Was it wrong? Anson Weeks Orchestra ; Don Raymond Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W151856 10-in. 10/13/1931 Fight for Santa Clara Anson Weeks Orchestra ; Santa Clara University Glee Club Jazz/dance band, with vocal chorus leader  
Columbia W151857 10-in. 10/13/1931 St. Mary's victory song Anson Weeks Orchestra ; Santa Clara University Glee Club Jazz/dance band, with vocal chorus leader  
Columbia W152045 10-in. 12/14/1931 I'm sorry, dear Red McKenzie Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Columbia W152623 10-in. 7/20/1934 I only have eyes for you Anson Weeks Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo leader  
Columbia W152624 10-in. 7/20/1934 The breeze (That's bringin' my honey back to me) Anson Weeks Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo leader  
Columbia W152625 10-in. 7/20/1934 And I still do Anson Weeks Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W152626 10-in. 7/20/1934 A new moon over my shoulder Anson Weeks Orchestra ; Fred Williams Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick E37253 10-in. 10/17/1931 I’m sorry, dear Jacques Renard Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Brunswick E37360 10-in. 11/19/1931 I’m sorry, dear Anthony Trini Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Brunswick E37440 10-in. 12/3/1931 I’m sorry, dear Bing Crosby Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Brunswick E20102-E20103 10-in. 9/13/1926 New moon Colonial Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio composer  
Brunswick LAE267 10-in. 9/7/1928 I’m writing you this little melody Jesse Stafford Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo; without vocal (take G) composer, lyricist  
Decca C 91081 10-in. 1/26/1937 You can tell she comes from Dixie Anson Weeks Orchestra ; Earle Morgan instrumentalist, piano  
Decca C 91082 10-in. 1/26/1937 How could you? Anson Weeks Orchestra ; Earle Morgan instrumentalist, piano  
Decca C 91083 10-in. 1/26/1937 Moonlight and shadows Anson Weeks Orchestra ; Earle Morgan instrumentalist, piano  
Decca C 91084 10-in. 1/26/1937 Twinkle, twinkle, little star Anson Weeks Orchestra ; Earle Morgan instrumentalist, piano  
Decca C 91085 10-in. 1/26/1937 Gazing at a blazing fire Anson Weeks Orchestra ; Earle Morgan instrumentalist, piano  
Decca C 91086 10-in. 1/26/1937 The kid in the three cornered pants Anson Weeks Orchestra ; Earle Morgan instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 26-44 of 44 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Weeks, Anson," accessed November 22, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/102708.

Weeks, Anson. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/102708.

"Weeks, Anson." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 22 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/102708

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