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.

Matson's Lucky Seven - Claxtonola 40306 (1924)

Been after this one for years after finding one of his Edisons in a Wisconsin garage.

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.