Gus Aiken

Augustus Aiken (July 26, 1902 in Charleston, South Carolina – April 1, 1973 in New York City) was an early jazz trumpeter who also did blues. He started with the Jenkins Orphanage band. He was first recorded professionally in 1919. In the 1920s he worked with several groups, but his best known work would be with Louis Armstrong. He went on to play with Sid Catlett, Roy Eldridge, and Elmer Snowden before his career declined. The end of the Big Band era and the rise of rock and roll is seen as causing the decline. His name is often incorrectly spelled as "Gus Aitken".

Birth and Death Data: Born July 26, 1902 (Charleston), Died April 1, 1973 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1921 - 1944

Roles Represented in DAHR: trumpet, cornet

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

Recordings

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Victor	BRC-70195	10-in.	8/28/1931	You rascal you	Henry Allen ; Luis Russell Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	BRC-70196	10-in.	8/28/1931	Goin' to town	Chick Bullock ; Luis Russell Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	BRC-70197	10-in.	8/28/1931	Say the word	Chick Bullock ; Luis Russell Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	BRC-70198	10-in.	8/28/1931	Freakish blues	Luis Russell Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, trumpet
Columbia	W144527	10-in.	7/30/1927	Black cat moan	Clara Smith and her Five Black Kittens	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with instrumental trio	instrumentalist, cornet
Columbia	W144528	10-in.	7/30/1927	Strugglin' woman's blues	Clara Smith and her Five Black Kittens	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with instrumental trio	instrumentalist, cornet
OKeh	S-7855	10-in.	Apr. 1921	I won't be back 'till you change your ways	Five Jazz Bell Hops ; Daisy Martin	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble	instrumentalist, cornet
Decca	60021	10-in.	10/3/1935	I'm in the mood for love	Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	60022	10-in.	10/3/1935	You're my lucky star	Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	60023	10-in.	10/3/1935	La cucaracha	Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	60024	10-in.	10/3/1935	Got a brand new suit	Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	60155	10-in.	11/21/1935	I've got my fingers crossed	Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	60156	10-in.	11/21/1935	Old man Mose (is dead)-1	Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	60157	10-in.	11/21/1935	I'm shooting high	Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	60158	10-in.	11/21/1935	(Was I to blame for) Falling in love with you	Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	60227	10-in.	12/13/1935	Red sails in the sunset	Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	60228	10-in.	12/13/1935	On Treasure Island	Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	60249	10-in.	12/19/1935	Thanks a million	Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	60250	10-in.	12/19/1935	Shoe Shine Boy	Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	60251	10-in.	12/19/1935	Solitude	Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	60252	10-in.	12/19/1935	I hope Gabriel likes my music	Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	60362	10-in.	1/18/1936	The music goes 'round and around	Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	60363	10-in.	1/18/1936	Rhythm saved the world	Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	61058	10-in.	4/28/1936	I come from a musical family	Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	61059	10-in.	4/29/1936	If we never meet again	Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	61075	10-in.	4/28/1936	Somebody stole my break	Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	61106	10-in.	5/18/1936	Lyin' to myself	Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	61107	10-in.	5/18/1936	Ev'ntide	Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	61108	10-in.	5/18/1936	Swing that music	Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	61109	10-in.	5/18/1936	Thankful	Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	61110	10-in.	5/18/1936	Red nose	Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	61111	10-in.	5/18/1936	Mahogany Hall stomp	Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	72297	10-in.	6/26/1944	I can't get started	Roy Eldridge Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	72298	10-in.	6/26/1944	After you've gone	Roy Eldridge Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	72299	10-in.	6/26/1944	Body and soul	Roy Eldridge Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	72406	10-in.	10/4/1944	That's the stuff you gotta watch	Buddy Johnson Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	72407	10-in.	10/4/1944	One of them good ones	Buddy Johnson Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	72408	10-in.	10/4/1944	They all say I'm the biggest fool	Buddy Johnson Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	72409	10-in.	10/4/1944	Fine brown frame	Buddy Johnson Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	72410	10-in.	10/4/1944	If you never return	Buddy Johnson Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Aiken, Gus," accessed November 24, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/200089.

Aiken, Gus. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/200089.

"Aiken, Gus." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 24 November 2024.