Charlie Gaines

Charlie H. "Devil" Gaines (August 8, 1900 – November 23, 1986) was an American jazz trumpeter and bandleader.

As a teenager Gaines played in brass bands in Philadelphia. Gaines moved to New York City in 1920, where he joined the orchestra of Wilbur Sweatman. He soon signed on with Clarence Williams's house band, then played with Sam Wooding, Earl Walton, Leroy Smith, Fats Waller, Charlie Johnson, and the Hot Chocolates.

In the 1930s Gaines launched his own band in Philadelphia; he recorded occasionally, including once with Williams in 1934. Concomitantly he continued playing with Smith and also played in Louis Armstrong's orchestra. He continued to lead bands in Philadelphia into the 1950s, especially at the jazz venue Carroll's. In the 1960s he played in a trio at the Hangover Club. Gaines went into retirement in the 1970s.

Gaines left behind four children and over twenty grand and great-grandchildren.

Birth and Death Data: Born August 8, 1900 (Philadelphia), Died November 23, 1986

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1929 - 1935

Roles Represented in DAHR: cornet, trumpet, songwriter

= 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-49760 10-in. 3/1/1929 The minor drag Fats Waller’s Buddies Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-49761 10-in. 3/1/1929 Harlem fuss Fats Waller’s Buddies Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BS-94135 10-in. 8/26/1935 I can't dance (I got ants in my pants) Bernard Addison and his Rhythm ; Jasper Thomas ; Kirby Walker Jazz/dance band, with male vocal duet songwriter  
Columbia W152733 10-in. 5/9/1934 I can't dance, I got ants in my pants Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra ; Taft Jordan Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Decca 39324 10-in. 2/1/1935 Milk cow blues The Birmingham Serenaders instrumentalist, cornet  
Decca 39325 10-in. 2/1/1935 Black gal blues The Birmingham Serenaders instrumentalist, cornet  
Decca 39326 10-in. 2/1/1935 Papa de da da The Birmingham Serenaders instrumentalist, cornet  
Decca 39327 10-in. 2/1/1935 You're bound to look like a monkey when you get old The Birmingham Serenaders instrumentalist, cornet  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Gaines, Charlie," accessed April 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112698.

Gaines, Charlie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112698.

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

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112698

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