Bennie Moten
Benjamin Moten (November 13, 1893 – April 2, 1935) was an American jazz pianist and band leader born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. He led his Kansas City Orchestra, the most important of the regional, blues-based orchestras active in the Midwest in the 1920s, and helped to develop the riffing style that would come to define many of the 1930s big bands. The jazz standard "Moten Swing" bears his name. |
Birth and Death Data: Born November 13, 1894 (Kansas City), Died April 2, 1935 (Kansas City)
Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1923 - 1947
Roles Represented in DAHR: composer, director, leader, piano, songwriter, arranger
= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.
Recordings
| Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor | BVE-37232 | 10-in. | 12/13/1926 | Thick lip stomp | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | composer, director, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-37233 | 10-in. | 12/13/1926 | Harmony blues | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-37234 | 10-in. | 12/13/1926 | Kansas City shuffle | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-37235 | 10-in. | 12/13/1926 | Yazoo blues | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-37236 | 10-in. | 12/13/1926 | White lightnin' blues | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-37237 | 10-in. | 12/14/1926 | Muscle Shoals blues | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-37238 | 10-in. | 12/14/1926 | Midnight mama | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director, instrumentalist, piano, composer | |
| Victor | BVE-37239 | 10-in. | 12/14/1926 | Missouri wobble | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-38667 | 10-in. | 6/11/1927 | Sugar | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-38668 | 10-in. | 6/11/1927 | Dear heart | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-38669 | 10-in. | 6/11/1927 | The new Tulsa blues | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-38670 | 10-in. | 6/11/1927 | Baby dear | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal duet | composer, director, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-38671 | 10-in. | 6/11/1927 | 12th Street rag | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-38672 | 10-in. | 6/12/1927 | Pass out lightly | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-38673 | 10-in. | 6/12/1927 | Ding-dong blues | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-38674 | 10-in. | 6/12/1927 | Moten stomp | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-42924 | 10-in. | 9/6/1928 | Justrite | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director, composer, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-42925 | 10-in. | 9/6/1928 | It's hard to laugh or smile | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director, composer, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-42926 | 10-in. | 9/6/1928 | Slow motion | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director, composer, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-42927 | 10-in. | 9/6/1928 | Tough breaks | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director, composer, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-42928 | 10-in. | 9/7/1928 | Sad man blues | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director, composer, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-42929 | 10-in. | 9/7/1928 | Kansas City breakdown | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director, composer, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-42930 | 10-in. | 9/7/1928 | Trouble in mind | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-42931 | 10-in. | 9/7/1928 | Hot water blues | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director, composer, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-42932 | 10-in. | 9/7/1928 | When life seems so blue | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director, composer, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-42933 | 10-in. | 9/7/1928 | Get low-down blues | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band, with vocal effects | director, composer, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-42934 | 10-in. | 9/7/1928 | She's no trouble | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-42935 | 10-in. | 9/7/1928 | South | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director, composer, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BRC-53012 | 10-in. | 4/15/1931 | Ya got love | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten ; Jimmy Rushing | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader | |
| Victor | BVE-55420 | 10-in. | 7/16/1929 | Terrific stomp | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, leader, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-55421 | 10-in. | 7/16/1929 | Let's get it | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer, leader, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-55422 | 10-in. | 7/16/1929 | Kansas City squabble | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, leader, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-55423 | 10-in. | 7/17/1929 | Rite tite | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, leader, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-55424 | 10-in. | 7/17/1929 | Moten's blues | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, leader, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-55425 | 10-in. | 7/17/1929 | That's what I'm talking about | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, leader, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-55426 | 10-in. | 7/17/1929 | That certain motion | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, leader, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-55427 | 10-in. | 7/17/1929 | It won't be long | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, leader, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-55428 | 10-in. | 7/18/1929 | Loose like a goose | Bennie Moten ; Buster Moten | Piano duet, with clarinet and traps | instrumentalist, piano, composer | |
| Victor | BVE-55429 | 10-in. | 7/18/1929 | Just say it's me | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, leader, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-55430 | 10-in. | 7/18/1929 | Now goofy dust | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, leader, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-55431 | 10-in. | 7/18/1929 | Michigan rag | Bennie Moten ; Buster Moten | Piano duet | instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BVE-57301 | 10-in. | 10/23/1929 | Rumba negro | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director, composer | |
| Victor | BVE-57302 | 10-in. | 10/23/1929 | The Jones Law blues | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-57303 | 10-in. | 10/23/1929 | Band box shuffle | Kansas City Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-57304 | 10-in. | 10/23/1929 | Small black | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-57305 | 10-in. | 10/23/1929 | Everyday blues | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-57312 | 10-in. | 10/24/1929 | Boot it | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-57313 | 10-in. | 10/24/1929 | Mary Lee | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-57314 | 10-in. | 10/24/1929 | Rit-dit-ray | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-57315 | 10-in. | 10/24/1929 | New Vine Street blues | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-57316 | 10-in. | 10/24/1929 | Sweetheart of yesterday | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-62909 | 10-in. | 10/27/1930 | Won't you be my baby? | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten ; Jimmy Rushing | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-62910 | 10-in. | 10/28/1930 | I wish I could be blue! | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-62911 | 10-in. | 10/28/1930 | Oh! Eddie | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-62912 | 10-in. | 10/28/1930 | That too, do | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten ; Jimmy Rushing | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-62913 | 10-in. | 10/28/1930 | Mack's rhythm | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-62914 | 10-in. | 10/28/1930 | You make me happy | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-62915 | 10-in. | 10/28/1930 | Here comes Marjorie | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-62916 | 10-in. | 10/28/1930 | The count | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director | |
| Victor | BVE-62921 | 10-in. | 10/29/1930 | Liza Lee | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten ; Jimmy Rushing | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-62922 | 10-in. | 10/30/1930 | Get goin' (Get ready to love) | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten ; Jimmy Rushing | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-62923 | 10-in. | 10/30/1930 | Professor Hot Stuff | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-62924 | 10-in. | 10/30/1930 | When I'm alone | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten ; Jimmy Rushing | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-62925 | 10-in. | 10/30/1930 | New Moten stomp | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-62926 | 10-in. | 10/30/1930 | As long as I love you | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten ; Jimmy Rushing | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | composer, director | |
| Victor | BVE-62927 | 10-in. | 10/31/1930 | Somebody stole my gal | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten ; Jimmy Rushing | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | director | |
| Victor | BVE-62928 | 10-in. | 10/31/1930 | Now that I need you | Count Basie ; Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | songwriter, director | |
| Victor | BVE-62929 | 10-in. | 10/31/1930 | Bouncin' round | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director | |
| Victor | BVE-62930 | 10-in. | 10/31/1930 | Break a day schuffle | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | director, composer, instrumentalist, piano | |
| Victor | BRC-68900 | 10-in. | 4/15/1931 | I wanna be around my baby all the time | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten ; Jimmy Rushing | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader | |
| Victor | BS-74846 | 10-in. | 12/13/1932 | Toby | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | leader | |
| Victor | BS-74847 | 10-in. | 12/13/1932 | Moten's swing | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | composer, leader | |
| Victor | BS-74848 | 10-in. | 12/13/1932 | Blue room | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | leader | |
| Victor | BS-74849 | 10-in. | 12/13/1932 | Imagination | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio | leader | |
| Victor | BS-74850 | 10-in. | 12/13/1932 | New Orleans | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten ; Jimmy Rushing | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader | |
| Victor | BS-74851 | 10-in. | 12/13/1932 | The only girl I ever loved | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio | leader | |
| Victor | BS-74852 | 10-in. | 12/13/1932 | Milenberg joys | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | leader | |
| Victor | BS-74853 | 10-in. | 12/13/1932 | Lafayette | Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band | leader | |
| Victor | BS-74854 | 10-in. | 12/13/1932 | Prince of Wales | Count Basie ; Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band, with piano | leader, arranger | |
| Victor | BS-74855 | 10-in. | 12/13/1932 | Two times | Josephine Garrison ; Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | leader | |
| Victor | BS-056414 | 10-in. | 9/30/1940 | South | Two Guitars and a Bass | Male vocal trio, with 2 guitars and string bass | composer | |
| Victor | D7VB-0908 | 10-in. | 5/22/1947 | South | Count Basie Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | composer | |
| Columbia | 142213 | 10-in. | 5/17/1926 | 18th Street strut | Joe Candullo ; Everglades Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | composer | |
| OKeh | 8456 | 10-in. | September 1923 | Ill natured blues | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra ; Ada Brown | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader | |
| OKeh | 8457 | 10-in. | September 1923 | Chattanooga blues | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra ; Mary H. Bradford | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader | |
| OKeh | 8458 | 10-in. | September 1923 | Evil mama blues | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra ; Ada Brown | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader | |
| OKeh | 8459 | 10-in. | September 1923 | Elephant's wobble | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | leader, composer | |
| OKeh | 8460 | 10-in. | September 1923 | Crawdad blues | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | leader, composer | |
| OKeh | 8461 | 10-in. | September 1923 | Selma Bama blues | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra ; Mary H. Bradford | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader | |
| OKeh | 8462 | 10-in. | September 1923 | Break o' day blues | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra ; Ada Brown | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | leader | |
| OKeh | 8463 | 10-in. | September 1923 | Waco, Texas blues | Mary H. Bradford ; Bennie Moten ; Lamar Wright | Female vocal solo, with cornet and piano | instrumentalist, piano | |
| OKeh | 8769 | 10-in. | 11/29/1924 | South | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | composer, leader | |
| OKeh | 8770 | 10-in. | Nov. 1924 | Vine Street blues | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | leader | |
| OKeh | 8771 | 10-in. | Nov. 1924 | Tulsa blues | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | composer, leader | |
| OKeh | 8772 | 10-in. | Nov. 1924 | Goofy dust | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | composer, leader | |
| OKeh | 8773 | Not documented | Nov. 1924 | [Unknown title(s)] | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | leader | |
| OKeh | 8774 | 10-in. | Nov. 1924 | Baby dear | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | composer, leader | |
| OKeh | 9118 | 10-in. | May 1925 | She's sweeter than sugar (That gal o' mine) | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra ; William Little, Jr. | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | leader, songwriter | |
| OKeh | 9119 | 10-in. | May 1925 | South Street blues | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | leader | |
| OKeh | 9120 | 10-in. | May 1925 | Sister Honky Tonk | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | leader, composer | |
| OKeh | 9121 | 10-in. | May 1925 | As I like it | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | leader, composer | |
| OKeh | 9122 | Not documented | May 1925 | [Unknown title(s)] | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | leader | |
| OKeh | 9123 | 10-in. | May 1925 | 18th Street strut | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | leader | |
| OKeh | 9124 | 10-in. | May 1925 | Things seem so blue to me | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | leader, composer | |
| OKeh | 9125 | 10-in. | May 1925 | Kater Street rag | Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | leader, composer | |
| Brunswick | DAL1070 | 10-in. | 4/26/1940 | South | Light Crust Doughboys | String band | composer |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Moten, Bennie," accessed May 7, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/104807.
Moten, Bennie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/104807.
"Moten, Bennie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 7 May 2024.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
External Sources
Wikipedia: Bennie Moten
Discogs: Bennie Moten
Grove: Bennie Moten
Britannica: Bennie Moten
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Moten, Bennie, 1894-1935 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n85031478
Wikidata: Bennie Moten - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q672295
VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/27252655
MusicBrainz: Bennie Moten - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/6d2a6a98-cddf-489a-80dc-b03b873368b8
Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license
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