Gus Aiken

Augustus Aiken (July 26, 1902 in Charleston, South Carolina – April 1, 1973 in New York City) was an early jazz trumpeter who also did blues. He started with the Jenkins Orphanage band.

He was first recorded professionally in 1919. In the 1920s he worked with several groups, but his best known work would be with Louis Armstrong. He went on to play with Sid Catlett, Roy Eldridge, and Elmer Snowden before his career declined. The end of the Big Band era and the rise of rock and roll is seen as causing the decline.

His name is often incorrectly spelled as "Gus Aitken".

Birth and Death Data: Born July 26, 1902 (Charleston), Died April 1, 1973 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1921 - 1944

Roles Represented in DAHR: trumpet, cornet

= 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 BRC-70195 10-in. 8/28/1931 You rascal you Henry Allen ; Luis Russell Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BRC-70196 10-in. 8/28/1931 Goin' to town Chick Bullock ; Luis Russell Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BRC-70197 10-in. 8/28/1931 Say the word Chick Bullock ; Luis Russell Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BRC-70198 10-in. 8/28/1931 Freakish blues Luis Russell Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Columbia W144527 10-in. 7/30/1927 Black cat moan Clara Smith and her Five Black Kittens Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with instrumental trio instrumentalist, cornet  
Columbia W144528 10-in. 7/30/1927 Strugglin' woman's blues Clara Smith and her Five Black Kittens Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with instrumental trio instrumentalist, cornet  
OKeh S-7855 10-in. Apr. 1921 I won't be back 'till you change your ways Five Jazz Bell Hops ; Daisy Martin Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble instrumentalist, cornet  
Decca 60021 10-in. 10/3/1935 I'm in the mood for love Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60022 10-in. 10/3/1935 You're my lucky star Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60023 10-in. 10/3/1935 La cucaracha Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60024 10-in. 10/3/1935 Got a brand new suit Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60155 10-in. 11/21/1935 I've got my fingers crossed Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60156 10-in. 11/21/1935 Old man Mose (is dead)-1 Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60157 10-in. 11/21/1935 I'm shooting high Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60158 10-in. 11/21/1935 (Was I to blame for) Falling in love with you Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60227 10-in. 12/13/1935 Red sails in the sunset Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60228 10-in. 12/13/1935 On Treasure Island Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60249 10-in. 12/19/1935 Thanks a million Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60250 10-in. 12/19/1935 Shoe Shine Boy Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60251 10-in. 12/19/1935 Solitude Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60252 10-in. 12/19/1935 I hope Gabriel likes my music Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60362 10-in. 1/18/1936 The music goes 'round and around Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60363 10-in. 1/18/1936 Rhythm saved the world Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 61058 10-in. 4/28/1936 I come from a musical family Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 61059 10-in. 4/29/1936 If we never meet again Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 61075 10-in. 4/28/1936 Somebody stole my break Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 61106 10-in. 5/18/1936 Lyin' to myself Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 61107 10-in. 5/18/1936 Ev'ntide Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 61108 10-in. 5/18/1936 Swing that music Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 61109 10-in. 5/18/1936 Thankful Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 61110 10-in. 5/18/1936 Red nose Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 61111 10-in. 5/18/1936 Mahogany Hall stomp Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 72297 10-in. 6/26/1944 I can't get started Roy Eldridge Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 72298 10-in. 6/26/1944 After you've gone Roy Eldridge Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 72299 10-in. 6/26/1944 Body and soul Roy Eldridge Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 72406 10-in. 10/4/1944 That's the stuff you gotta watch Buddy Johnson Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 72407 10-in. 10/4/1944 One of them good ones Buddy Johnson Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 72408 10-in. 10/4/1944 They all say I'm the biggest fool Buddy Johnson Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 72409 10-in. 10/4/1944 Fine brown frame Buddy Johnson Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 72410 10-in. 10/4/1944 If you never return Buddy Johnson Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Aiken, Gus," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/200089.

Aiken, Gus. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/200089.

"Aiken, Gus." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/200089

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