Across the U.S. with Territory Bands in the '20's

These bands spread the gospel of popular music in hotel ballrooms, nightclubs, Elks Clubs and VFW halls across the land. Most ground it out by bus for decades, while the fortunate few got "wires"-radio hookups at their gig-and were able to achieve a national profile. Most of the stars of bands like Count Basie and Jimmy Lunceford began their careers in these bands. So, hats off to these musical evangelists.

Here's the show.

Playlist
Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy “Blue Clarinet Stomp” (Brunswick 1929)

Caroline Cotton Pickers “Dumbell” (Gennett 1922)

Erskine Tate “Static Strut” (Vocalion 1926)

George E. Lee's Novelty Singing Orch “St. James Infirmary” (Brunswick 1928) 

Carroll Dickerson “Symphonic Raps” (Odeon 1928

Ross Deluxe Syncopators “Florida Rhythm” (1927)

Jesse Stone and His Blue Serenaders “Starvation Blues” (Okeh 1927)

The Coon-Sanders Nighthawks “Here Comes My Ball and Chain” (Victor 1928)

Walter Page “Blue Devil Blues” (Vocalion 1929)

Zach Whyte's Chocolate Beau Brummels “West End Blues” (1929)

George E. Lee And His Orchestra “Ruff Scufflin” (Brunswick 1929)

Alphonso Trent “Black And Blue Rhapsody”  (Gennett 1928)

Benny Moten “Rhumba Negro” (1929)

Snooks Friedman and His Memphis Stompers “Smile Darn Ya, Smile” (Zonophone 1931)

Austin Wylie's Golden Pheasant Orchestra “Looking for a Boy” (Vocalion 1926)

Alphonso Trent “Black And Blue Rhapsody” (Gennett 1928)

Bennie Moten “Band Box Shuffle” (1929)