Willie "The Lion" Smith - The Chronological Classics: Willie "The Lion" Smith 1925-1937 (1937)

"Breeze (Blow My Baby Back to Me)" by Willie "The Lion" Smith & His Cubs


Mamie Smith was the first African-American to record a blues song.  The accompaniment on those first blues recordings was the stride pianist Willie "The Lion" Smith (still no relation... none of the Smiths are related).  After starting his career as a session musician and rent party professional, The Lion, after a while, grew to be a successful band leader.  His first recordings are collected on The Chronological Classics: Willie "The Lion" Smith 1925-1937.

Here is the discography surrounding Willie "The Lion" Smith's debut recordings:

The Chronological Classics: Willie "The Lion" Smith 1925-1937

"Finger Buster" by Willie "The Lion" Smith


"There's Gonna Be the Devil to Pay" by Willie "The Lion" Smith & His Cubs


"The Old Stamping Ground" by Willie "The Lion" Smith & His Cubs


Pass the Headphones!!

Ella Fitzgerald - The Chronological Classics: Ella Fitzgerald 1935-1937 (1937)

"I'll Chase the Blues Away" by Ella Fitzgerald (with Chick Webb and His Orchestra)


Before being signed to the Earl Hines Orchestra, Sarah Vaughan was given an opening act opportunity for winning the Amateur Night at the Apollo in 1942.  She opened for Ella Fitzgerald.  Ella Fitzgerald who also won Amateur Night at the Apollo seven years earlier.  Sarah had been 18 when she won; Ella 17.  Ella sang a week with Tiny Bradshaw and His Orchestra and was soon after signed by band leader Chick Webb who already had a singer (Charlie Linton) and plenty of reservations.  Ella's contribution turned a good investment when she recorded a couple hit singles with Webb's Orchestra (including "Love and Kisses" and "You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)").  She sang regularly with Webb at the Savoy Ballroom where the Orchestra performed some of the nation's best swing (contested and proven) for the Savoy Ballroom's nation of Lindyhoppers.  She also recorded with band leaders Teddy Wilson and Benny Goodman, and her own "Savoy Eight".

Here is the discography surrounding Ella Fitzgerald's first recordings:

The Chronological Classics: Ella Fitzgerald 1935-1937

"You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)" by Ella Fitzgerald (with Chick Webb and His Orchestra)


Pass the Headphones!!