78rpm Timeline

this page first published by John Wright, 28 Dec 2000
last update 2 April 2012vintage@r2ok.co.uk

References: British Dance Bands On Record (Rust/Forbes), Jazz Records (Rust), Memory Lane (articles by Peter Tanner), Chronicle Of Jazz (Mervyn Cooke), German Ragtime and Prehistory of Jazz (Rainer Lotz)

Please e-mail John Wright with any additions, corrections

Jazz and music events	Year	British Dance Band Scene
	...
1897 Sousa's Band records ragtime on Berliner and later Victor records 1897 Vess Ossman records ragtime banjo at Edison 1898 Arthur Collins records ragtime songs at Edison 1903 Arthur Pryor's band records ragtime 1909 Victor 's own studio orchestra is recording ragtime and dance records 1910In Storyville, New Orleans, Joe Oliver plays professionally In New York, James Reece Europe's Clef Club opens to promote interests of black musicians Sophie Tucker performs 'Some Of These Days'	1897 --:-- 1910	1898 The Hotel Cecil Orchestra is recorded by Fred Gaisberg on Berliner records 1898 Burt Shepard records ragtime songs with Berliner 1898 Mays and Hunter record banjo duets 1900 Olly Oakley records ragtime banjo on Berliner records 1907 Black Diamonds Band records ragtime on Zonophone 1908 Beka Orchestra records dance records with on Beka label 1909 Bert Bassett record ragtime banjo
Irving Berlin's 'Alexander's Ragtime Band' is published May Scott Joplin publishes ragtime opera Treemonisha	1911	Feb The Gramophone Company's Mayfair Orchestra record dance records on the Zonophone label Aug Black Diamonds Band record dance records Oct HMV records dance records by Gottlieb's Orchestra
Aug W.C. Handy publishes Memphis Blues Kid Ory and Armand Piron are leading bands in New Orleans	1912	'Alexander's Ragtime Band' is recorded by bands in London on the HMV, Beka, Dacapo, Pathe, Zonophone record labels, and many vocal recordings. Sept Columbia label records dance records by Casino Orchestra, directed by Albert Ketelby
Jan Young Louis Armstrong is sent to a waif's home after a shooting incident Freddie Keppard's Original Creole Band on tour Dec Jim Europe's Orchestra records in New York	1913	May-July Cinch label issues series of ragtime records
W.C. Handy publishes St Louis Blues Noble Sissle leads band in Indianapolis Irving Berlin musical Watch Your Step opens in New York starring Vernon and Irene Castle George Gershwin starts work at music publishers Jerome H. Remick	1914	Louis Mitchell's Southern Syncopated Quintet play ragtime in London
Elsie Janis introduces the fox-trot in The Passing Show of 1915 Noble Sissle meets Eubie Blake Sept Jelly Roll Morton publishes Jelly Roll Blues	1915	Apr From Murray's Club, Murray's Ragtime Trio and Murray's Ragtime Banjo Quartet record Nov Now at the Savoy Hotel, the Savoy Quartet record
Mar Johnny Stein's Dixie Jass band, from New Orleans, performs in Chicago Jun Nick La Rocca becomes leader, band becomes the Original Dixieland Jass Band Scott Joplin makes piano rolls of Maple Leaf Rag and others Joseph C. Smith's Orchestra reside at New York's Hotel Plaza	1916
Jan-Feb Original Dixieland Jazz Band perform in New York and record the first jazz records Mar George Gershwin working on Broadway Apr Scott Joplin dies Sept W.C. Handy Orch. records	1917	Feb Louis Mitchell's Syncopated Sextette and the Seven Spades tour Britain
Mar ODJB record Tiger Rag James Reece Europe's 'Hellfighters' touring France Joe Oliver moves to Chicago Louis Armstrong replaces Oliver in Kid Ory's Band Nov Louis works with Fate Marable's group on the Mississippi riverboats c.Dec Louisiana Five record for Emerson	1918
Apr The Original Dixieland Jazz Band arrives in Britain and performs at the London Hippodrome and Palladium. Recordings made with Columbia, and some of their 1917 recordings are released in Britain by HMV The song 'Dardanella' is a best-seller, and will eventually sell over a million records and sheet music	1919	Jan Murray Pilcer's Jazz Band recorded for the Edison 'Winner' label, but the music is NOT 'jazz'.
Apr Sam Lanin's Roseland dance Orch first records	1920	Paul Whiteman appears on the HMV label, with 'Whispering', 'Wang-Wang Blues' etc. Jack Hylton leads the Queen's Dance Orchestra in London
Aug Phil Napoleon records as Bailey's Lucky Seven, and later as Ladd's Black Aces c.Aug James P. Johnson records piano solos NovCalifornia Ramblers' first records	1921	Bert Ralton leads the New York Havana Band at the Savoy Hotel May Queen's Dance Orchestra, led by Jack Hylton, first records. Oct Havana Band first records. Zonophone release records by Jack Hylton's Jazz Band
Apr Phil Napoleon begins Original Memphis Five recordings NORK (Friars Society Orch) first recordings	1922	Queen's Orch. credited on records as 'directed by Jack Hylton' The Savoy Havana Band appear on stage at the Coliseum theatre
Apr King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band first record for Gennett Jun Jelly Roll Morton records piano solos	1923	Mar The orchestras of Paul Whiteman and Paul Specht perform in London. Debroy Somers leads the Savoy Orpheans Ambrose and his Embassy Club Orch. record for Columbia
Feb Wolverines, with Bix Beiderbecke, first record for Gennett Red McKenzie records with the Mound City Blue Blowers Mar Jean Goldkette's Orchestra records Apr Coon-Sanders' Original Nighthawk Orchestra record Oct Louis Armstrong records with Fletcher Henderson	1924	Apr Zonophone records 'Midnight Follies Orch', directed by Bert Firman Regal begins issuing Corona Dance Orchestra records, many are hot US recordings Nov Henry Hall records at the Midland Hotel Manchester with the Gleneagles Hotel Dance Band
Jan Louis and Bessie Smith record St Louis Blues May Louis and Fletcher Henderson records Sugarfoot Stomp Nov Louis Armstrong's Hot Five make first record Dec Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F Sidney Bechet and Josephine Baker with Revue Negre in Paris	1925	Jan Savoy Orpheans perform concert at Queen's Hall. first electric HMV recordings made. Jack Payne's Band at the Hotel Cecil Kit-Kat Club opens The bands of Ted Lewis and Vincent Lopez perform in London June 15th George Gershwin visiting Britain, plays on BBC Broadcast Rhapsody in Blue accompanied by Billy Thorburn
Jimmie Noone leads Apex Club Sept Jelly Roll Morton and his Red Hot Peppers record for Victor Sept Annette Hanshaw records with Red Nichols and Miff Mole Oct Bix records with Jean Goldkette Orch. Bing Crosby and Al Rinker record with Don Clark Orch. in LA Dec Bing Crosby makes first records with Paul Whiteman Orch.	1926	Jan Lawrence Wright launches the 'Melody Maker' magazine. Sept 11th Plantation Orchestra in 'Blackbirds' at London Pavilion, featuring Pike Davis-Johnny Dunn(trumpets). Second visit by Paul Whiteman Orch. featuring George Gershwin playing 'Rhapsody In Blue'. Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake work in Britain
Jan Miff Mole records with his Molers Feb Bix records Singin' The Blues with Frank Trumbauer's Orch Apr Ellington first records Black And Tan Fantasy Nov Bix Beiderbecke records with His Gang Dec Frank Teschmacher records with McKenzie and Condon's Chicagoans Dec Duke Ellington Orch at the Cotton Club Dec Meade Lux Lewis records Honky Tonk Train Blues	1927	Mar Mayfair Hotel opens, featuring Bert Ambrose Orchestra Mar Fred Elizalde begins dance recordings with Brunswick. July Jack Jackson joins the Hylton band Nov first Rhythmic Eight records released by Zonophone
Jan Benny Goodman's Boys record Feb Dorsey Brothers' Orchestra records May Jimmie Noone's Apex Club Orch records Jun Louis Armstrong's Hot Five record West End Blues	1928	Jack Payne appointed Director of Dance Music at BBC, and appoints Ray Noble as arranger. Carroll Gibbons appointed Director of Light Music at HMV Feb Sylvester Ahola first records with Bert Firman Ambrose records for HMV, with Lew Stone arrangements. Aug Sam Browne records with Jack Hylton Jul Al Bowlly arrives in Britain, records with Fred Elizalde
Mar Handful Of Keys begins Fats Waller's series of piano solo recordings Jun Film St Louis Blues stars Bessie Smith Ellington band appear in film short Black and Tan Fantasy	1929	May Danny Polo joins Ambrose Orchestra, who switches to the Decca red label Aug Ray Noble directs the New Mayfair Dance Orchestra
Oct Lionel Hampton his records first vibraphone solo Ellington records Mood Indigo Whiteman band apears in film King Of Jazz Carroll Gibbons working as composer at MGM	1930	Mar Spike Hughes records with his Decca-Dents Mar Ambrose switches back to HMV Oct Roy Fox band records for Decca Nov Al Bowlly first records with NMDO
Mar Casa Loma Orch record White Jazz Aug 6th Bix dies	1931	Jan Al Bowlly records with Roy Fox band Mar CB Cochran's revue opens U.S. Brunswick recordings on sale again in Britain (numbered 1000-) May Roy Fox band opens at the Monseigneur Restaurant Dorchester Hotel opens with Melville Gideon's band AFM refuse Jack Hylton a U.S. tour Lew Stone musical director of British and Dominions Films Aug Sylvester Ahola returns to USA Oct Ambrose Orch has two weeks on stage at he Palladium Harry Roy Band at the Leicester Square Theatre (cinema) Nov Hylton moves to the Decca label Dec Hylton Band make transatlantic broadcast for Lucky Strike
Feb Ellington records It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) Hughes Panassie founds the Hot Club de France Filming of Big Broadcast with Bing Crosby	1932	JanHenry Hall accepts offer of job as leader of BBC Dace Orchestra Ray Ventura and his Collegians debut at the Palladium Mar Henry Hall broadcasts with the BBC Dance Orch Jack Payne begins recording on Imperial label Syd Lipton moves to the Grosvenor Casani Club opens with Charlie Kunz Orch Sept Nat Gonella issues own records Oct Lew Stone replaces Roy Fox as bandleader at the Monseigneur, and gets the Tuesday night 10.30pm spot on BBC Roy Fox sets up band at the Cafe Anglais Jack Payne filming Say It With Music
Art Tatum begins series of piano solo recordings Apr Spike Hughes and his Negro Orch record in New York Jun Ellington band begin first European tour Nov Billie Holiday's first record (with Benny Goodman Orch)	1933	Feb Jack Jackson's new band at the Dorchester Roy Fox moves to the Kit-Kat Club Jack Payne touring Europe June Duke Ellington tours Britain Jun-AugBilly Cotton records Ellington compositions Sept Louis Armstrong tours Britain Nov Jack Hylton's band records 'Ellingtonia' Nov Lew Stone band moves to Cafe Anglais Dec Denny Dennis joins Roy Fox band
Hughes Panassie publishes Le Jazz Hot May Chick Webb's band record Stompin At The Savoy Downbeat magazine launched Jimmie Lunceford replaces Cab Calloway at the Cotton Club	1934	Mar Lew Stone returned to Monseigneur but it closes in the summer Cab Calloway flops in Britain July Kit-Kat Club closes Joe Venuti British tour Sept Al Bowlly and Bill Harty join Ray Noble in USA Sept Alberta Hunter records with Jack Jackson Orch Nov Nat Gonella & His Georgians record for Parlophone
Jun Ella Fitzgerald begins recording with Chick Webb Orch Jul Billie Holiday begins recording with Teddy Wilson Orch Jul Benny Goodman Trio record Aug Benny Goodman Orch play at the Palomar Ballroom, LA Sept Jimmy Dorsey Orch records for Decca Sept Tommy Dorsey Orch records for Victor Sept Stephane Grapelly and Django Reinhardt record together in Paris Nov Gene Krupa band records in Chicago, for release in Britain	1935	Mar Jack Hylton returns to HMV label Jun Joe Daniels and his Hot Shots begin recording Nov Jack Hylton starts long visit to US, Sonny Farrar directs the band in Britain
Charles Delauney publishes Hot Discography Jul Nat King Cole records with the Solid Swingers Aug Benny Goodman Quartet record Sept Nick LaRocca revives the ODJB	1936	Benny Carter joins Henry Hall's BBC Orch as arranger Henry Hall's band travels on maiden voyage of The Queen Mary Brunswick issue the Classic Swing series, dubbings of early Gennett recordings including King Oliver, The Wolverines, NORK Crystalate Company introduced their Swing Series on the Vocalion label May Hilton R. Schleman compiled Rhythm On Record Aug Jack Hylton returns to Britain Oct The Swingtette record with Jack Hylton Dec the idea of The Dance Band, the Organ and Me is born during a radio broadcast by Billy Thorburn and organist Reginald Foort
Mar Billie Holiday works with Count Basie band Jul Basie records One O'Clock Jump George Gershwin dies Sep Nat King Cole Trio performs Bessie Smith dies	1937	Jan Al Bowlly leaves Ray Noble band and returns to Britain Decca aquired Crystalate Sept Last performance by Henry Hall's BBC Dance Orch
Jan Benny Goodman performs at Carnegie Hall First Commmodore records made Apr King Oliver dies May Jelly Roll Morton begins Library Of Congress recordings Jul Artie Shaw records Begin the Beguine Dec Benny Goodman records Bach Goes To Town Carnegie Hall concert From Spirituals To Swing produced by John Hammond	1938	Aug Fats Waller British tour
Mar Glenn Miller band performs at Glen Island Casino Apr Glenn Miller records Moonlight Serenade Billie Holiday records Strange Fruit Jul Frank Sinatra records with Harry James Orch Aug Benny Goodman hires guitarist Charlie Christian Glenn Miller records In The Mood	1939	May Jack Hylton sessions involves Coleman Hawkins and Fletcher Henderson
	1940	May RAF Dance Orchestra records for Decca June Anne Shelton records and broadcasts with Ambrose Orch BBC inaugurates Radio Rhythm Club later led by Harry Parry
	1941	Ken 'Snakehips' Johnson and Dave Williams killed at the Cafe de Paris during enemy bombing Apr Al Bowlly dies during an air raid Nov HMV recorded Britain's 'first public jazz session'