Lu Watters Yerba Buena Jazz Band

In 1940, traditional jazz had almost disappeared.  The key early figures like Louis Armstrong were playing with much larger swing bands.  Jelly Roll Morton was reliving his memories for the Library of Congress.

Lu Watters had a vision, based upon the early King Oliver band, and he held to it.  He assembled a group that (eventually) shared his vision.

Lu Watters, Bob Scobey, Cornets

Turk Murphy, Trombone

Ellis Horne, Clarinet

Wally Rose, Piano

Clancy Hayes, Russ Bennett, Banjo

Squire Girsback, Tuba

Billy Dart, Drums. 

Together, they redefined "dixieland" as Traditional or "Trad" Jazz.  That tradition lives on with bands that were formed by the members:

Turk Murphy, Bob Scobey, and Bob Schultz (who played with Turk for years )

And that tradition now lives on with the Colorado Nighthawks!!!!

The tune you're listening to is "High Society"  (Yerba Buena, in Español, is  "good herb", which means whatever you want it to mean!)

You can hear more of the Yerba Buena Jazz Band here, on "Milneberg Joys" and "Come Back, Sweet Papa"

This page and all pages Copyright, Good Time Music, 2008.  All Rights Reserved.