Kentucky Serenaders

Johnny Hamp's Kentucky Serenaders was a US jazz and dance band, active from the late 1910s through the 1920s. The group was known simply as The Serenaders until Johnny Hamp became the band leader. Johnny Hamp was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and should not be confused with British television producer Johnnie Hamp. According to some sources, he became the leader by chance when the band was performing at the Hershey Ballroom in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The band leader at the time had an argument with the players and walked out. Hamp, who never played a musical instrument in spite of being a jazz fan and had no experience as a conductor (in addition, he only sang whenever the chorus was performed by a vocal ensemble or the whole band), volunteered to lead them for the rest of the evening and they accepted. After the performance, the band asked him to stay on as leader. The "Kentucky" in the name appears to be related to the band's use of "My Old Kentucky Home" as a theme song, rather than any connection to the U.S. state of Kentucky.

The group toured in the eastern United States and toured England in 1930. In 1931, the group was renamed Johnny Hamp and His Orchestra.

The group made most of its recordings in New York City on the Victor label. Their biggest hit was "Black Bottom" recorded in 1926, which led to a dance fad; see Black Bottom (dance).

Hamp continued to record for Victor until April, 1932. The next session was in August, 1935 for ARC (Melotone, Perfect, Romeo, Oriole). In December, 1936, Hamp was back with Victor recording for their Bluebird label for only two sessions (the second in February, 1937), which turned out to be their last session.

Band members at different times included:

  • Howard Bartlett on clarinet, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, vocals
  • William Benedict on trombone
  • Lester Brewer on trumpet
  • Charles Buckwalter on piano, vocals and as arranger
  • Franklyn Baur on vocals
  • Joe Cassidy on clarinet, alto saxophone, vocals
  • Roy Cropper on vocals
  • Charles Dale on clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone
  • Cliff Gamet on alto saxophone, vocals
  • Carl Grayson (r.n.: Graub) on violin, vocals
  • Elwood Groff on bass brass, vocals
  • Irwin Hood on piano
  • Lewis James on vocals
  • Johnny Marvin on vocals
  • Johnny McAfee on saxophone, vocals
  • Frank Masterson on banjo, vocals
  • Frank Munn on vocals
  • Billy Murray on vocals
  • Walter Pontius on vocals
  • Elliot Shaw on vocals
  • Charles Socci on guitar, vocals
  • Ray Stillson on clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone
  • John Strouse on drums
  • Clayton Tewkesbury on trumpet
  • Hal White on violin, vocals
  • Jayne Whitney on vocals
  • Melvin Watkins playing clarinet and saxophone

Johnny Hamp led other bands in the 1930s and early 1940s ending up as a hotel house band leader in Chicago.

Birth and Death Data: Died Ceased 1937

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1920 - 1929

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 51-71 of 71 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-46681 10-in. 8/10/1928 Two lips (to kiss my cares away) Johnny Hamp ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-48614 10-in. 11/22/1928 'Round evening Johnny Hamp ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-48615 10-in. 11/22/1928 Where is the song of songs for me? Johnny Hamp ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-48630 10-in. 11/28/1928 Mia bella Rosa Johnny Hamp ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-48631 10-in. 11/28/1928 Please let me dream in your arms Johnny Hamp ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-48743 10-in. 12/13/1928 Avalon town Roy Cropper ; Johnny Hamp ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-48744 10-in. 12/13/1928 My arms are open Johnny Hamp ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-48802 10-in. 1/17/1929 We'll find our shelter (before the rain) Johnny Hamp ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-48803 10-in. 1/17/1929 Remember I love you Johnny Hamp ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Victor BVE-50507 10-in. 2/21/1929 I promise Johnny Hamp ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-50508 10-in. 2/21/1929 I'll be a pal to your boy (If you'll be a pal to mine) Johnny Hamp ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-55687 10-in. 9/13/1929 Sunny side up Johnny Hamp ; Kentucky Serenaders ; Frank Luther Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-55688 10-in. 9/13/1929 Nobody cares if I'm blue Johnny Hamp ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-55689 10-in. 9/13/1929 If I had a talking picture of you Johnny Hamp ; Don Howard ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-55690 10-in. 9/13/1929 Lady luck Johnny Hamp ; Don Howard ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-55691 10-in. 9/13/1929 La rosita Johnny Hamp ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-57433 10-in. 11/20/1929 My pals Johnny Hamp ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-57434 10-in. 11/20/1929 Your love is all that I crave Johnny Hamp ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-57446 10-in. 11/22/1929 Never say die Johnny Hamp ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia 78970 10-in. 2/11/1920 Venetian moon Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia 79007 10-in. 3/1/1920 Rose of Washington Square Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band Musical group  
(Results 51-71 of 71 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Kentucky Serenaders," accessed April 26, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112318.

Kentucky Serenaders. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112318.

"Kentucky Serenaders." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 26 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112318

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