Fess Williams and his Royal Flush Orchestra were a popular outfit that played at Harlem's Savoy Ballroom for most of its life. They recorded for a number of labels, including Victor, Vocalion, Gennett, Okeh, Brunswisk, Champion and Harmony.
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| Fess Williams |
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| Frank Marvin |
The band is well-schooled and features several good soloists, including George Temple on trumpet and Williams himself on a Ted Lewis-ish clarinet. However, you'll note that the band uses a tuba, not a string bass and there was a sense that the band wasn't keeping up with changes in style. This led to a decrease in popularity and the band's demise not long after this recording in 1930.
We've heard Frank Marvin on several interracial songs. He's definitely making an effort on this recording not to be a recognizably white vocalist and gets into jive repartee with Fess Williams.
"I'm Feelin' Devilish" was written by Maceo Pinkhard, who wrote, among other tunes, "Sweet Georgia Brown," which I write about here.
Fess Williams and His Royal Flush Orchestra: Fess Williams, cl, as, v, dir: George Temple, John Brown, t / David “Jelly” James, tb / Bobby Holmes, cl, as / Ralph Brown or Felix Gregory, as / Perry Smith, cl, ts / Henry Duncan, p / Andy Pendleton or Ollie Blackwell, bj / Emanuel Casamore, bb / Ralph Bedell, d / Frank Marvin, v. New York, April 18, 1930.
- She’s still dizzy- Vic 23025, IAJRC 16, Harlequin (E)HQ2040, Jazz Crusade
- JCCD3019 [CD];
- Hot mama-Vic 22864, IAJRC 16, Harlequin (E)HQ2040;
- Hot mama- Jazz Oracle (Can)BDW8041 [CD];
- ‘Leven-thirty Saturday night (fm vcl)-Vic V38131, IAJRC 16, Harlequin;
- I’m feelin’ devilish (fw vcl)- IAJRC 16, BBC (E)REB590, CD590 [CD], CDS
- Records (G)RP3CD612 [CD]
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