Memphis Jug Band

The Memphis Jug Band was an American musical group active from the mid-1920s to the late-1950s. The band featured harmonica, kazoo, fiddle and mandolin or banjolin, backed by guitar, piano, washboard, washtub bass and jug. They played slow blues, pop songs, humorous songs and upbeat dance numbers with jazz and string band flavors. The band made the first commercial recordings in Memphis, Tennessee, and recorded more sides than any other prewar jug band.

Beginning in 1926, African-American musicians in the Memphis area grouped around the singer, songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player Will Shade (also known as Son Brimmer or Sun Brimmer). The personnel of the band varied from day to day, with Shade booking gigs and arranging recording sessions. The band was as a training ground for musicians who would go on to make careers of their own.

Birth and Death Data: Born Founded 1927, Died Ceased 1934

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1927 - 1930

Roles Represented in DAHR: Musical group

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 57 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-37941 10-in. 2/24/1927 Sun brimmers Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-37942 10-in. 2/24/1927 Stingy woman Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-37943 10-in. 2/24/1927 Memphis jug Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-37944 10-in. 2/24/1927 Newport News blues Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-38657 10-in. 6/9/1927 Sometimes I think I love you Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-38658 10-in. 6/9/1927 Sunshine blues Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-38659 10-in. 6/9/1927 Memphis boy Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-38660 10-in. 6/9/1927 I'm looking for the bully of the town Memphis Jug Band Instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-40312 10-in. 10/19/1927 I packed my suitcase, started to the train Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-40313 10-in. 10/19/1927 State of Tennessee blues Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-40314 10-in. 10/19/1927 Bob Lee Junior blues Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-40315 10-in. 10/19/1927 Kansas City blues Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-40320 10-in. 10/20/1927 Beale Street mess around Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-40321 10-in. 10/20/1927 I'll see you in the spring, when the birds begin to sing Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-41817 10-in. 2/1/1928 Snitchin' gambler blues Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-41818 10-in. 2/1/1928 Evergreen money blues Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-41888 10-in. 2/13/1928 Coal oil blues Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-41889 10-in. 2/13/1928 Papa Long blues Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-41890 10-in. 2/13/1928 Peaches in the springtime Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-41891 10-in. 2/13/1928 She stays out all night long Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-47008 10-in. 9/13/1928 Lindberg hop Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-47009 10-in. 9/13/1928 Sugar pudding Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-47010 10-in. 9/13/1928 A black woman is like a black snake Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-47011 10-in. 9/13/1928 On the road again Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
Victor BVE-47036 10-in. 9/15/1928 Whitewash station blues Memphis Jug Band Vocal and instrumental ensemble Musical group  
(Results 1-25 of 57 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Memphis Jug Band," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105590.

Memphis Jug Band. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105590.

"Memphis Jug Band." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105590

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