Memphis Jug Band

The 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 to make careers of their own.

Birth and Death Data: Born Founded 1927, Died Ceased 1934

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1927 - 1930

Roles Represented in DAHR: Musical group

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

Recordings (Results 51-57 of 57 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-62583 10-in. 6/5/1930 Going back to Memphis Memphis Jug Band ; Charlie Bozo Nickerson Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble and male vocal chorus Musical group  
Victor BVE-62990 10-in. 11/21/1930 He's in the jail house now Memphis Sheiks Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-64731 10-in. 11/26/1930 Got a letter from my darlin' Carolina Peanut Boys Vocal and instrumental ensemble, with talk Musical group  
Victor BVE-64732 10-in. 11/26/1930 Round and round Memphis Sheiks Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-64733 10-in. 11/26/1930 This will bring you back Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-64740 10-in. 11/28/1930 Move that thing Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble, with talk Musical group  
Victor BVE-64741 10-in. 11/28/1930 You got me rollin' Carolina Peanut Boys Vocal and instrumental ensemble, with talk Musical group  
(Results 51-57 of 57 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Memphis Jug Band," accessed November 4, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/105590.

Memphis Jug Band. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 4, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/105590.

"Memphis Jug Band." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 4 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/105590

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