Buddy Christian

Narcisse J. "Buddy" Christian (1895? - 1958?) was an American jazz banjoist, guitarist, and pianist.

Christian worked professionally as a pianist starting in the early 1910s. He played in New Orleans with Peter Bocage in 1912-1913 and with King Oliver at Lala's Cafe in the middle of the decade. Around 1920 he moved to New York City, where he began playing banjo in addition to piano. He played with Lucille Hegamin, June Clark, and the Red Onion Jazz Babies, and played in the studio on Clarence Williams's sessions, including Eva Taylor and the Blue Five (with Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet). He can also be heard on Bessie Smith recordings made in 1923.

In 1926, he recorded under his own name, and continued working as a session musician for recordings with Charles Matson, New Orleans Willie Jackson, and blues musicians. He and Fred Jennings played in a banjo duo in 1929. After 1930 Christian left active performance.

Birth and Death Data: Born July 21, 1885 (New Orleans), Died 1958 (New Orleans)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1923 - 1928

Roles Represented in DAHR: banjo, leader, songwriter, guitar, composer

Notes: Given name: Narcisse Joseph Christian.

= 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-36069 10-in. 8/27/1926 Goin' crazy with the blues Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble instrumentalist, banjo  
Victor BVE-36081 10-in. 8/31/1926 What have you done to make me feel this way Mamie Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble instrumentalist, banjo  
Victor BVE-36895 10-in. 11/2/1926 My baby doesn't squawk New Orleans Blue Five Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-36896 10-in. 11/2/1926 The king of the Zulus New Orleans Blue Five Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-36897 10-in. 11/2/1926 South Rampart Street blues New Orleans Blue Five Jazz/dance band composer, instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-36925 10-in. 11/12/1926 Blues from the Everglades Morris' Hot Babies Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Victor BVE-36926 10-in. 11/12/1926 P. D. Q. blues Thomas Morris ; Morris' Hot Babies Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Victor BVE-36962 10-in. 11/24/1926 The mess Thomas Morris ; Morris' Hot Babies Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Victor BVE-36963 10-in. 11/24/1926 The chinch Thomas Morris ; Morris' Hot Babies Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Victor BVE-37572 10-in. 1/26/1927 Moaning sinner Monette Moore Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble songwriter  
Columbia 80953 10-in. 4/11/1923 Oh daddy blues Bessie Smith ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano (takes 1-3); with clarinet, banjo, and piano (takes 4 and 5) instrumentalist, banjo  
Columbia W140859 10-in. 8/20/1925 My two timing papa Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with clarinet, banjo, and piano instrumentalist, banjo  
Columbia W140860 10-in. 8/20/1925 Kitchen mechanic blues Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with clarinet, banjo, and piano instrumentalist, banjo  
Columbia W141046 10-in. 9/25/1925 Alley rat blues Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Columbia W141047 10-in. 9/25/1925 When my sugar walks down the street Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Columbia W141048 10-in. 9/25/1925 You never miss your water Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Columbia W141049 10-in. 9/25/1925 Disappointed blues Clara Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
Columbia W142588 10-in. 9/3/1926 Who'll chop your suey when I'm gone Buddy Christian ; Willie Jackson Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with banjo instrumentalist, banjo  
Columbia W142589 10-in. 9/3/1926 Numbers on the brain Buddy Christian ; Willie Jackson Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with banjo instrumentalist, banjo  
Columbia W142707 10-in. 9/30/1926 Tain't what you pay to get a thing Willie Jackson Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with banjo and piano instrumentalist, banjo  
Columbia W142708 10-in. 9/30/1926 Railroad man blues Willie Jackson Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with banjo and piano instrumentalist, banjo  
Columbia W142852 10-in. 10/21/1926 Dark eyes Dixie Washboard Band ; Shufflin' Sam Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia W142853 10-in. 10/21/1926 Gimme blues Dixie Washboard Band ; Shufflin' Sam Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia W144538 10-in. 8/9/1927 Hobo Bill Martha Copeland Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with banjo and piano instrumentalist, banjo  
Columbia W144539 10-in. 8/9/1927 Nobody rocks me like my baby do Martha Copeland Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with banjo and piano instrumentalist, banjo  
Columbia W145560 10-in. 1/21/1928 Kansas City blues Willie Jackson Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with guitar and piano instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia W145561 10-in. 1/21/1928 T. B. blues Willie Jackson Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with guitar and piano instrumentalist, guitar  
OKeh S-71306 10-in. February 1923 E flat blues no. 2 Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-71307 10-in. February 1923 Original Charleston strut Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-71531 10-in. May 1923 Lonesome journey blues Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-71532 10-in. May 1923 When the jazz band starts to play Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-71582 10-in. June 1923 Just blues that's all Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-71583 10-in. June 1923 The bull blues (E flat no. 1 blues) Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-71739 10-in. August 1923 Those blues Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-71740 10-in. August 1923 Beaucoup de jazz Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-71910 10-in. September 1923 Irresistible blues Eva Taylor Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-71911 10-in. September 1923 Jazzin' babies blues Clarence Williams’ Trio ; Eva Taylor Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-71928 10-in. October 1923 Tain't nobody's business if I do Clarence Williams’ Blue Five Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-71929 10-in. October 1923 New Orleans hop scop blues Clarence Williams’ Blue Five Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-71930 10-in. October 1923 Oh daddy! blues Clarence Williams’ Blue Five Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-71945 10-in. October 1923 Down on the levee blues Rosetta Crawford Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-71946 10-in. October 1923 Lonesome woman blues Rosetta Crawford Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-71961 10-in. 10/11/1923 Graveyard dream blues Clarence Williams' Harmonizing Four ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-71962 10-in. 10/11/1923 A green gal can't catch on Clarence Williams' Harmonizing Four ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-71972 10-in. 10/19/1923 If I let you get away with it once, you'll do it all of the time Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Margaret Johnson Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-71973 10-in. 10/19/1923 E flat blues Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Margaret Johnson Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-72857 10-in. Sept. 1924 Things done got too thick Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-72858 10-in. Sept. 1924 Eagle Rock me, papa Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-72897 10-in. Oct. 1924 I can always tell when my man don't want me 'round Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-72898 10-in. Oct. 1924 Lake Ponchartrain blues Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-72899 10-in. Oct. 1924 Gravier Street blues Laura Smith Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-72912 10-in. Oct. 1924 Terrible blues Eva Taylor ; Clarence Williams Female-male vocal duet, with cornet and banjo instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-72913 10-in. Oct. 1924 Arkansaw blues Eva Taylor ; Clarence Williams Female-male vocal duet, with cornet and banjo instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-72915 10-in. 10/17/1924 Early in the morning Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Virginia Liston Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-72916 10-in. 10/17/1924 You've got the right key, but the wrong keyhole Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Virginia Liston Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-72958 10-in. 11/6/1924 Of all the wrongs you done to me Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor Jazz/dance quintet, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-72959 10-in. 11/6/1924 Everybody loves my baby (But my baby don't love nobody but me) Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor Jazz/dance quintet, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-72996 10-in. 11/25/1924 Papa, Mama's all alone blues Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Margaret Johnson Female vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-72997 10-in. 11/25/1924 Changeable daddy of mine Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Margaret Johnson Female vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-73007 10-in. 11/28/1924 Baby, I can't use you no more Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sippie Wallace Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-73008 10-in. 11/28/1924 Trouble everywhere I roam Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sippie Wallace Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-73014 10-in. 12/2/1924 I'm so glad I'm brownskin Clarence Williams’ Trio ; Sippie Wallace Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-73015 10-in. 12/2/1924 Off and on blues Clarence Williams’ Trio ; Sippie Wallace Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-73018 10-in. 12/3/1924 He's the cause of me being blue Clarence Williams’ Trio ; Sippie Wallace Female vocal solo, with banjo and piano instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-73019 10-in. 12/3/1924 Let my man alone blues Clarence Williams’ Trio ; Sippie Wallace Female vocal solo, with banjo and piano instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-73026 10-in. 12/17/1924 Mandy, make up your mind Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor Jazz/dance quintet, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-73027 10-in. 12/17/1924 I'm a little blackbird looking for a bluebird Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor Jazz/dance quartet, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-73081 10-in. 1/8/1925 Who'll chop your suey (When I'm gone) Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Margaret Johnson Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-73082 10-in. 1/8/1925 Done made a fool out of me Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Margaret Johnson Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-73083 10-in. 1/8/1925 Cake walking babies from home Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor Jazz/dance quintet, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-73084 10-in. 1/8/1925 Pickin' on your baby Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-73204 10-in. 3/4/1925 Cast away Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh S-73205 10-in. 3/4/1925 Papa de-da-da Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor Jazz/dance ensemble, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 73524 10-in. July 1925 Far as I'm concerned Eva Taylor Female vocal solo, with banjo and piano instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 73525 10-in. July 1925 Get off my money blues Buddy Christian ; Eva Taylor ; Clarence Williams Female vocal solo, with banjo and piano instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 73574 10-in. Aug. 1925 I am leaving you Sippie Wallace Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 73575 10-in. Aug. 1925 I'm sorry for it now Sippie Wallace Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 73576 10-in. Aug. 1925 Suitcase blues Sippie Wallace Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 73577 10-in. Aug. 1925 I must have it Sippie Wallace Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 73686 10-in. 10/6/1925 Just wait 'til you see my baby do the Charleston Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor Jazz/dance sextet, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 73687 10-in. 10/6/1925 Living high (Sometimes) Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor Jazz/dance sextet, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 73694 10-in. 10/8/1925 Coal cart blues Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor Instrumental sextet, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 73695 10-in. 10/8/1925 Santa Claus blues Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor Instrumental sextet, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 73721 10-in. 10/16/1925 Santa Claus blues Clarence Williams’ Trio Female vocal solo, with male vocal duet and instrumental trio instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 73738 10-in. 10/26/1925 Squeeze me Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor Instrumental sextet, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 73739 10-in. 10/26/1925 You can't shush Katie (The gabbiest girl in town) Eva Taylor Female vocal solo, with instrumental sextet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 73906 10-in. Jan. 1926 Oh me! Oh my! blues Mary Mack Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 73907 10-in. Jan. 1926 You gotta quit your low down ways Billy Mack ; Mary Mack Female-male vocal duet, with jazz/dance trio instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 73908 10-in. Jan. 1926 Fetch it when you come Billy Mack ; Mary Mack Female-male vocal duet, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 73909 10-in. Jan. 1926 How could my good man turn his back on me now Clarence Williams’ Trio ; Mary Mack Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 73911 10-in. Jan. 1926 You don't want much Clarence Williams’ Trio ; Billy Mack ; Mary Mack Female-male vocal duet, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 74057 10-in. Mar. 1926 Sunset blues Buddy Christian's Creole Five ; Louise Vant Jazz/dance ensemble, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, banjo, leader, songwriter  
OKeh 74058 10-in. Mar. 1926 Texas mule stomp Buddy Christian's Creole Five ; Louise Vant Jazz/dance ensemble, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, banjo, leader, songwriter  
OKeh 74059 10-in. Mar. 1926 Sugar house stomp Buddy Christian's Creole Five Jazz/dance ensemble instrumentalist, banjo, composer, leader  
OKeh 74066 10-in. 3/24/1926 What's the matter now? Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 74067 10-in. 3/24/1926 I want every bit of it—I don't like it second hand Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 74072 10-in. 3/25/1926 Brother Ben Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 74073 10-in. 3/25/1926 The prisoner's blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 74074 10-in. 3/25/1926 Careless man blues Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 74075 10-in. 3/25/1926 How could I be blue Sara Martin Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 80034 10-in. 5/13/1926 Nina Lee Buddy Christian's Four Cry-Babies Male vocal quartet, with banjo and piano leader, instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh 80035 10-in. 5/13/1926 Jonah's ridin' on his mule Buddy Christian's Four Cry-Babies Male vocal quartet, with banjo and piano instrumentalist, banjo, leader  
OKeh 80039 10-in. 5/26/1926 Jonah's riding on his mule Buddy Christian's Four Cry-Babies Vocal quartet, with banjo and piano leader  
OKeh 80040 10-in. 5/26/1926 Nina Lee Buddy Christian's Four Cry-Babies Vocal quartet leader, composer  
Brunswick 12078-12081 10-in. 12/11/1923 Gimme blues Ray Miller Orchestra Jazz/dance band songwriter  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Christian, Buddy," accessed April 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/111966.

Christian, Buddy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/111966.

"Christian, Buddy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/111966

External Sources

Wikipedia: Buddy Christian

Discogs: Buddy Christian

Allmusic: Buddy Christian

Linked Open Data Sources

LCNAR: Christian, Buddy, approximately 1895-approximately 1958 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2002115795

Wikidata: Buddy Christian - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q2927519

VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/66653860

MusicBrainz: Buddy Christian - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/38d51e08-67ff-4274-889f-6bd32da9e13b

Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

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