Boyd Senter With Eddie Lang - Okeh 40861 (1927)

Eddie Lang's (Salvatore Massaro) story has haunted me since I discovered it years ago...one of those classic "what if's." He was one of the pioneers of jazz (and blues) guitar and even crossed the early color barrier recording with Lonnie Johnson, Bessie Smith, King Oliver & Louis Armstrong.

At the urging of Der Bingle, Lang went in for a tonsilectomy at age 30...and didn't come out. His is one of many jazz & blues artists' lives that was snuffed out too early and although he left behind a large recording legacy...it still makes me ask...what if?

I don't have any Blind Willie Dunn's in my collection but I did discover this 78 in my garage last week. It's a little beat up but you can still hear that guitar!