Interracial Jazz Recording (#26) The Dodds Brothers and Frank Melrose

The Dodds brothers-Johnny on clarinet and drummer Warren (Baby) were two of the most influential players in early jazz. Their careers include important collaborations with King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton and Sidney Bechet.        

Johnny Dodds

Baby Dodds

They did a few recordings with the white piano player Frank Melrose, brother of Walter and Lester, big time Chicago agents and publishers. Melrose was a kind of protege of Jelly Roll Morton, whose playing style he emulated. He had a sporadic music career, supplementing his income working a factory job.
             

    Frank Melrose

This is one of the first recordings of Junie Cobb's sprightly tune "Piggly Wiggly." The Dodds show their mastery. Herb Morand is a good player and Melrose holds his own. It's amazing how much Baby Dodds manages to swing the band with just a snare drum.

Beale Street Washboard Band: Herb Morand (cnt) Johnny Dodds (cl) Kansas City Frank Melrose (p) Baby Dodds (d,wbd) Chicago, July 24, 1929.

• Forty And Tight- Voc 1403, V-1016, Ban 32388, Br 80076, Cq 7980, Or 8120;
• Forty And Tight- Ristic Special;
• Piggly Wiggly- Voc 1403, Ban 32388, Cq 7980, Or 8120, Per 196, Ro 5120;
• Piggly Wiggly- Br 80076, Voc V-1016, Dec MB-22050

All entries are from my book “As Long as They Can Blow: Interracial Jazz Recording and Other Jive Before 1935.”