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 (Results 26-40 of 40 records)

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Role
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

(Results 26-40 of 40 records)

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.