James P. Johnson was one of the forefathers of the Harlem Stride piano style - a progress from ragtime to jazz. He also was one of the most influential pianists of his day. We will explore some of James P's early piano solos from his groundbreaking CAROLINA SHOUT in 1921 to some of his band sides. We also will hear early recordings by perhaps his greatest disciple Thomas "Fats" Waller who took the Harlem Stride style even a step further! --- Support this podcast:...

Born in Baltimore April 7, 1915 By the time she was 21 Billie Holiday became Jazz's GREATEST vocal stylist . We will dig into her earliest recordings from the landmark 1933 John Hammond session ( her 1st!) to her early 1940s records on commodore for Milt Gabler. We will also hear sione of her influences and imitators - Give BILLIE a listen on what would have her 109th birthday ( my birthday too!) --- Support this podcast:...

Ameericn Grooves goes to church! We will explore some of the deep American sacred and gospel music on this religious day. From Sacred Harp/Shaped Note quartets, to Sanctified preaching and Jubilee singing DENISON's SACRED HARP SINGERS OF ALABAMA, MIDDLE GEORGIA SINGING CONVENTION, BLIND ROOSEVELT GRAVES, PHIPPS FAMILY the old weird America for sure! ( not to be confused with the new weird America!) --- Support this podcast:...

In the 1920s and early 1930s "headin' uptown" meant a night of clubbing in HARLEM. And when you went you might have been entertained by any number of fabulous bands who lived and played "up-town". This episode , the second of two is dedicated to all of those Harem based bands - from LOUIS ARMSTRONG & HIS ORCHESTRA, MILLS BLUE RHYTHM BAND , JIMMY LUNCEFORD's ORCHESTRA, JOE STEELE ORCHESTRA, CAB CALLOWAY and THE MISSOURIANS before him to name just a few...and how can we forget CHICK WEBB...

A celebration of St. Pat's day featuring hte music of some of the talented Irish Immigrants who recorded their folk and dance music in that great "melting pot" called America . From PACKIE DOLAN & HIS BOYS to tenor JOHN McCORMACK. We also will play some of the today seldom heard comic "Character songs" of the early 20th Century sung by the likes of ADA JONES and "RAGTIME" BOB ROBERTS ....We'll be wearing the green! --- Support this podcast:...

In the 1920s and early 1930s "headin' uptown" meant a night of clubbing in HARLEM. And when you went you might have been entertained by any number of fabulous bands who lived and played "up-town". This episode , the first of two is dedicated to all of those Harem based bands - from LUIS RUSSELL'S ORCHESTRA, SAVOY BEARCATS, JIMMY LUNCEFORD's ORCHESTRA, CAB CALLOWAY and THE MISSOURIANS before him to name just a few...and how can we forget CHICK WEBB and DUKE ELLINGTON'S mighty COTTON CLUB...

This episode explores the blues to rock tune KEEP A KNOCKIN' From it's origins as MY BUCKET's GOT A HOLE IN IT on . Tom Gates & His Orchestra on Gennett, Lizzie Miles on Vocalion and Boodle It Wiggins on Paramount are some of the versions heard! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/american-grooves-hour/support

Charles Lindbergh's 1927 trans-atlantic flight was the news of the world. It spawned dance crazes and MANY tin-pan-alley songs. This episode explores some of them and more --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/american-grooves-hour/support

George Gershwin's RHAPSODY IN BLUES premiered at New York's Aeolian HALL on a program billed as "An Experiment in Modern Music," the much-anticipated concert held by Paul Whiteman and his Palais Royal Orchestra drew a packed audience. The excited audience included many top line vaudevillians, concert managers and Tin Pan Allevites who came to have a look at the new jazz novelty. Also at the happening were , composers young and old, , symphony and opera stars, flappers, cake-eaters, and a ...

A few cool versions of this tin-pan-alley turned early jazz standard alomg with the usual assortment of pre-war 78 rpm musical wonders. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/american-grooves-hour/support

This episode features sides by Harlems' MILLS BLUE RHYTHM BAND, Joe Venuti & His Orchestra a aa few versions of the old folk tune JESSE JAMES --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/american-grooves-hour/support

This show, the last of three, is a request only show! - The HOTTEST 1920s-30s performances of all time as per my listeners and fellow collectors! Get out the fire extinguisher! THE CREEPER by Duke Ellington, JOE TURNER BLUES Johnny Dodds Black Bottom Stompers , LUIS RUSSELL ORCH Saratoga Shout, TED LEWIS BAND Rhythm and many more --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/american-grooves-hour/support

With a new year we will explore the very meaning of NEW! ( musically that is) - some first recordings by "new" artists circa 1920-35! Hear the first ever recordings of BING CROSBY, ROBERT JOHNSON, BILL MONROE, BOB WILLS, and many more! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/american-grooves-hour/support

Let's make some end of the year WHOOPEE! fun stuff and a little bit of sentiment --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/american-grooves-hour/support

This weeks' episode focus on some of the lady band leaders, and instrumentalists of pre-1940 Jazz, Blues and Country - INA RAY HUTTON, MEMPHIS MINNIE, KEECHIE WILEY, MARY LOU WILLIAMS, CLEO BROWN, THELMA TERRY among others will be featured --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/american-grooves-hour/support

What a treat to have American Grooves actually broadcast on WLIW on Christmas Eve- my favorite holiday of them all - a special Christmas episode with Christmas tunes from the 1900s-40s From Mel Blanc to Sister Rosetta Tharpe! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/american-grooves-hour/support

Part 2 of the hottest of the hot records of the 1920s-mid 30s Collectors from all over the planet sent in suggestions and we again play some of those hot platters! - from King Oliver to Ernie Schultz band on Gennett - Thanks all who sent in their requests! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/american-grooves-hour/support

We decide to ask an array of shellac collectors just what circa 1920s-30s 78 was the ( their) HOTTEST! - we were inundated with scores of opinions and suggestions - so much so that we will have three episode! - by COLLECTOR's CHOUCE of the hottest jazzer in the land - and what an array - Some of the ones you would suspect like Jelly Roll, Duke, Goldkette but some total left fielders like Benny Nawahi, Ina Ray Hutton, J.C. Johnson, and Bernie Schultz! So tune in to episode # 1 and you just...

The world of pre-war 78 collectors is not large! Most of us have been at it for years but fortunately there is always some new blookd in the hobby- and about 4 times a years a group of like minded collectors gather at the home of Rich Nevins and spend a day and night spinning some of the best of the best discs from that era...or, at the very least, ones we love...here's a selection of what was played at the last get-together! --- Support this podcast:...

Last week it was Heaven..this week.......you guest it the devil down below! ROBERT JOHNSON, ART KASSAL & HIS KASSALS IN THE AIR, GID TANNER and some fun reefer songs! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/american-grooves-hour/support

Those pearly gates have been the subject to countless tunes in all genres and in all eras! - Here's some fun tunes from the pre-1940 era! From Washington Phillips to Al Jolson......with a bit of Cleo Brown and Monroe Brothers mixed in as well --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/american-grooves-hour/support

Max Fleischer's Great Depression era cartoon characters were almost immediately intrenched into era's pop culture - This episode features a few tunes dedicated to and BY our "Out Of The Inkwell" heroes! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/american-grooves-hour/support

In St. Louis Missouri on Christmas day 1895 Billy Lyons and "Stag" Lee Sheldon got into a ruckus that turned into a murder that turned into one of the longest lasting folk songs in American's history! - This episode plays just a few of them! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/american-grooves-hour/support

Joe digs into a Jug Band standard and its various versions! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/american-grooves-hour/support