Memphis Jug Band Biography
Perhaps the most important and certainly the most popular of the jug bands, the Memphis Jug Band flourished on record between 1927 and 1934, during which time they recorded some 80 tracks - first for Victor Records then later for OKeh Records. On one occasion they moonlighted for Champion using the name the Piccaninny Jug Band. Their repertoire covered just about every kind of music that anybody could wish to hear, and their personal appearances ran from fish-frys to bar mitzvahs. Recording for their own people, they restricted themselves to ballads, dance tunes (including waltzes), novelty numbers and blues. Usually a knockabout conglomeration, they could produce blues of feeling and beauty when required. The group had an ever-changing personnel that revolved around the nucleus of Charlie Burse and Will Shade. Other members included some of the stars of the Memphis blues scene such as Memphis Minnie, Casey Bill Weldon, Jab Jones, Milton Robey, Vol Stevens, Ben Ramey, Charlie Polk and Hattie Hart. Basically a string band augmented by such ‘semi-legitimate’ instruments as harmonicas, kazoos, washboards and jugs blown to supply a bass, the MJB had a constantly shifting line-up featuring violins, pianos, mandolins, banjos and guitars in different combinations. This, coupled with ever-changing vocalists, lent their music a freshness, vitality and variety that enables it to charm, entertain or move the listener as much today as it did during the great days of Beale Street. Although they ceased to record in 1934, this loose aggregation of musicians continued to work around Memphis until well into the 40s; some of its members were recorded again by researchers in the 60s.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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