the Club McKenzie: Your 1920s Jazz Speakeasy

Series produced by Guy Rathbun

Caption: Joe "King" Oliver
Joe "King" Oliver 

A weekly program of Music and Stories for "The Jazz Age."

Across the spectrum of pop and jazz from the late teens to the early 1930s, this weekly series from the Club McKenzie invites you the share in the talents and tales of the musicians and performers that created an unforgettable era.


619 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Caption: The Savoy Orpheans
To say that London was not known as a mecca for early jazz is an understatement, however, Britain adopted America’s music very quickly. The Savoy ...

Bought by KCBX


  • Added: Jul 01, 2014
  • Length: 58:59
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Luis Russell
A native of Panama, Luis Russell moved to New Orleans in 1919 after winning a $3000 lottery. He became a mainstay house pianist. But, in 1925 he mo...

Bought by KCBX


  • Added: Jun 17, 2014
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: The New Orleans Owls
The electrical recording process revolutionized the industry in 1925. Besides improving studio quality recordings, major labels were now capable of...

Bought by KCBX


  • Added: Jun 11, 2014
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Lionel Hampton
Paul Howard’s Quality Serenaders should be better known. But, they’re not. Part of the reason is their geographical location: Los Angeles - 1929. A...

Bought by KCBX


  • Added: Jun 03, 2014
  • Length: 58:59
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Joe Sanders and Carleton Coon
The chance meeting of Joe Sanders and Carleton Coon shortly after World War I lead to one of the most successful bands of the 1920s. You could say,...

Bought by KCBX


  • Added: May 29, 2014
  • Length: 58:58
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Hugues Panassie
French historian and jazz promoter came to America with enthusiasm in 1938 for one purpose: to put together a group of New Orleans musicians for a ...

Bought by KCBX


  • Added: May 23, 2014
  • Length: 58:59
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Louis Armstrong
In the early years of recordings, Louis Armstrong became a trailblazing pioneer in the art of accompanying blues singers. I wasn’t as easy as it ma...

Bought by KCBX


  • Added: May 20, 2014
  • Length: 58:57
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Washboard Rhythm Kings
Spasm bands, or skiffle bands, (created out of found objects not usually found in musical groups) originated in the streets of New Orleans around 1...

Bought by KCBX


  • Added: May 12, 2014
  • Length: 58:59
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Champion Records label
Overlooked as a gathering place for hot jazz in the 1920s, the Southwest sported some excellent musicians. Many went on to successful careers in th...

Bought by Radio New Zealand and KCBX


  • Added: May 07, 2014
  • Length: 58:56
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Thomas 'Fats' Waller
Although Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller was one of the most prolific recording artists in the 1920s and 1930s, very little of his earlier music is heard.

Bought by KCBX


  • Added: Apr 29, 2014
  • Length: 58:59
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Annette Hanshaw
She was known as “The Personality Girl,” with a singing style that crossed over between sweet and hot jazz-influenced presentations. Annette Hansha...

Bought by KCBX


  • Added: Apr 22, 2014
  • Length: 58:59
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Blackbirds Sheet Music
The review, Lew Leslie’s Blackbirds of 1928, opened at the Liberty Theatre on 42nd Street in May of that year.

Bought by KCBX


  • Added: Apr 16, 2014
  • Length: 58:58
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Thomas Morris
Cornetist Thomas Morris is somewhat of an obscure artist from the 1920s, although he was certainly very active recording with Clarence Williams, Si...

Bought by KCBX


  • Added: Apr 09, 2014
  • Length: 58:59
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: George Brunies
Half a dozen brothers and sisters, mother, father, and a cousin made up the core of the Brunies family. They were all good musicians. Many of them ...

Bought by Troy Public Radio and KCBX


  • Added: Apr 03, 2014
  • Length: 58:58
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Vaughn De Leath
She was known as “The First Lady of Radio.” Vaughn De Leath’s recording career began in 1921, which lead to hundreds of titles over the next decade...

Bought by Radio New Zealand and KCBX


  • Added: Mar 25, 2014
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: 1920s Jazz Group
If jazz can be tied to any season, metaphorically speaking, it would be spring.

Bought by KCBX


  • Added: Mar 19, 2014
  • Length: 58:56
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Fats Waller
Connie’s Hot Chocolates opened at the Hudson Theater, 44th Street east of Broadway, on June 20, 1929. It was a slice of Harlem nightlife.

Bought by KZYX and KCBX


  • Added: Mar 13, 2014
  • Length: 58:58
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Eddie Condon
Eddie Condon is one of the liked musicians during the early years of jazz. A Chicago style guitarist, is probably best remembered for his wit, humo...

Bought by WDCB and KCBX


  • Added: Mar 03, 2014
  • Length: 58:59
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Jelly Roll Morton
Fredinand Joseph LaMothe Morton was there when it all began. Although it may be a dubious title to say he created jazz, it is true that he was one ...

Bought by KCBX


  • Added: Feb 24, 2014
  • Length: 58:59
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Three Jazz Wizards
Here is a sampling of some of the bands of the 1920s; most didn’t make it beyond their geographical boarders. By no means does that lesson their ta...

Bought by KCBX


  • Added: Feb 15, 2014
  • Length: 58:57
  • Purchases: 1