Charles A. Matson on Gennett / Edison / Claxtonola (1923-1924)

Not much is known about early African American jazz pianist, Charles A. Matson and it appears that almost all of his sidemen are unidentified.

Here are the complete recordings under his own name and two more as a backing band...incidentally under a misspelled name.

Now the focus shifts to finding the small handful of female blues singers he accompanied.

Recorded in New York on January 31, 1923.

Recorded in New York in July, 1923.

Charles Matson p, a, dir / 2 c / ? John Mayfield tb / ? Ernest Elliott cl, as / ? Sam Speed bj.

Recorded in New York in January, 1924.

Chas. A. Matson's Creole Serenaders - Edison 51222 / 51224 (1923)

Found 51224 while rummaging through the garage of a collector in the middle of Wisconsin a few years back. Completed the Edison output when I found 51222 the easy way...eBay.

Still on the lookout for his lone Paramount/Claxtonola/Puritan release, Lawdy Lawdy Blues / Jail House Blues.

Personnel unknown other than Matson on piano.

Recorded on July 30, 1923.

Ted Claire Snappy Bits Band (Chas. A. Matson, Director) / Mandy Lee & Ladd's Black Aces - Gennett 5060 (1923)

Chas. A Matson (name misspelled on the label) was an in demand piano accompanist during the twenties. Here is he with an unknown band. (Also, here he is on one of his two Edison recordings.)

Recorded in New York on January 31, 1923.

Here we have an unidentified Mandy Lee (Vaughn De Leath?) along with the Original Memphis Five, aka Ladd's Black Aces.

Phil Napoleon t / Charlie Panelli tb / Jimmy Lytell cl / Frank Signorelli p / Jack Roth d.

Recorded in New York on February 15, 1923.

Chas. A. Matson's Creole Serenaders - Edison 51224 (1923)

I Just Want A Daddy

Rose Of Brazil by the Broadway Dance Orchestra