Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra

The Tuxedo Brass Band, sometimes called the Original Tuxedo Brass Band, was one of the most highly regarded brass bands of New Orleans, Louisiana in the 1910s and 1920s.

The band was led by Papa Celestin in around 1910. Many noted jazz greats were played in the band. The group never recorded (though the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, a dance band using some of the same musicians, did record in the mid-1920s).

Personnel varied; as with most such New Orleans brass bands of the era; a group no larger than three trumpets or cornets, two trombones, one or two clarinets, alto horn, baritone horn, bass horn, snare drum, and bass drum considered sufficient for most jobs. The team of Papa Celestin playing a driving lead, Manuel Perez with sweet variations and Joe Oliver's hot bluesy counter melodies was remembered by many musicians of the era as the finest brass band trumpet team heard in the city.

Other notables who played in the band included Louis Armstrong, Peter Bocage, Mutt Carey, Louis Dumaine, Eddie Atkins, Harrison Barnes, Sunny Henry, Jim Robinson, John Casimir, Johnny Dodds, Jimmie Noone, Sweet Emma Barrett, Alphonse Picou, George Guesnon, Isidore Barbarin, Louis Keppard, Chinee Foster, Black Benny Williams, and Zutty Singleton.

A group of younger musicians formed the Young Tuxedo Brass Band, which is still in existence.

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1925 - 1928

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

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia W142014 10-in. 4/13/1926 I'm satisfied you love me Celestin's Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W142015 10-in. 4/13/1926 My Josephine Celestin's Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra ; Charles Gills Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia W142016 10-in. 4/13/1926 Station calls Celestin's Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W142017 10-in. 4/13/1926 Give me some more Celestin's Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W143953 10-in. 4/11/1927 Dear Almanzoer Celestin's Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W143954 10-in. 4/11/1927 Papa's got the jim jams Celestin's Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra ; Abby Foster Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia W143955 10-in. 4/11/1927 As you like it Celestin's Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W143956 10-in. 4/11/1927 Just for you, dear, I'm crying Celestin's Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra ; Ferdinand Joseph Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia W145018 10-in. 10/25/1927 When I'm with you Celestin's Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W145019 10-in. 10/25/1927 It's jam up Celestin's Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Columbia W147632 10-in. 12/13/1928 The sweetheart of T.K.O. Celestin's Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Columbia W147633 10-in. 12/13/1928 Ta-ta daddy Celestin's Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra Jazz/dance band Musical group  
OKeh 8906 10-in. 1/23/1925 Original tuxedo rag Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra Jazz/dance band Musical group  
OKeh 8907 10-in. 1/23/1925 Careless love Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra Jazz/dance band Musical group  
OKeh 8908 10-in. 1/23/1925 Black rag Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra Jazz/dance band Musical group  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra," accessed December 27, 2025, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/111019.

Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra. (2025). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved December 27, 2025, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/111019.

"Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2025. Web. 27 December 2025.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/111019

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