[Dixielandjazz] Early recordings by "Black bands"

[Anton Crouch]

Hello all

In his discussion of the "Dixieland vs Traditional" terminology, Tom 
Wiggins introduces an historical howler. Tom wrote

"The Original Dixieland Jazz Band did not invent Traditional Jazz they were simply the First Band allowed to record it by a White Label that would not even consider recording a Black band at that time in history."

No, no, no.

The matter of Freddie Keppard's/Original Creole Orchestra/  is the subject of Lawrence Gushee's book/Pioneers of jazz/  (Oxford University Press, 2005) and Gushee concludes that the Keppard band was invited by the Victor Talking Machine Company to make records, possibly as early as 1916. A straightforward case of a "White label" and a "Black band". The reasons for Keppard turning-down the offer are conjectural and include the well-known story of Keppard not wanting other bands to "steal his stuff". Other reasons include the perceived difficulty of recording the string instruments and the simple monetary matter of the band wanting to be paid to audition.

If we look at the pre and contemporary ODJB dance band period there are other "Black bands" who recorded for "White labels", eg

James Reese Europe, 1914
Wilbur Sweatman, 1916
Dan Kildare, 1916
Ford Dabney, 1917
Eubie Blake, 1917
W C Handy, 1917

All the best,
Anton