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 (Results 1-25 of 105 records)

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  
(Results 1-25 of 105 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Christian, Buddy," accessed March 29, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/111966.

Christian, Buddy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/111966.

"Christian, Buddy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 29 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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