Band,
Jazz and Pop
Established by Cellist, Impresario and Band Manager, Edgar A. Benson in 1920, the band became one of the most popular dance bands of the early 1920s. Based at the Marigold Gardens (a location frequented by Chicago's mob members) the band was initially directed by pianist and arranger Roy Bargy. Other members were: Matthew Amaturo - clarinet, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone Rick Adkins - trumpet Guy Carey - trombone Thomas Thatcher - tenor saxophone Joe Baum (3) - violin Joe Miller (12) - banjo William Foeste - bass saxophone, tuba Albert Walthall - violin Arthur Layfield - drums The tune "Na Jo", recorded in 1921, has been cited as the first recording of "stop-time" playing; other early successes included "Ain't We Got Fun?" and "Wabash Blues", which reportedly sold some 750,000 copies. Roy Bargy left the band in 1922 after an argument with Benson, and many of the musicians left with him. He was replaced as bandleader and pianist by Don Bestor, and new band members included saxophonist Frankie Trumbauer and, in the mid 1920s, drummer Gene Krupa. The band continued to record successfully, with hits including one of the first recordings of "Tea for Two" in 1925. That year, Don Bestor left, and trumpeter Frederick Hamm took over as leader. Thereafter the band continued to disintegrate, although its name continued to be used on records until the end of the 1920s.
Gene Krupa dr 1909-1973 US | |
Roy Bargy voc, p 1894-1974 US | |
Frankie Trumbauer sax 1901-1956 US | |
Arthur Layfield dr | |
Don Bestor US | |
Joe Miller | |
Guy Carey tb | |
Joe Baum | |
Matthew Amaturo | |
Thomas Thatcher | |
Rick Adkins | |
William Foeste | |
Fred Hamm voc US |
Track list and 30sec audio provided by
Title | Artist | Year | Type |
---|---|---|---|
Yes! We Have No Bananas / Think Of Me | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 2006 | Album |
Volume 1, 1920-1921 | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 2003 | Compil. |
Sweet Georgia Brown / Riverboat Shuffle | Oliver Naylor's Orchestra / The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1925 | Album |
Oh, How I Miss You To-night / I Had Someone Else Before I Had You | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1925 | Album |
My Sweetie's Sweeter Than That / Wow! | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1924 | Album |
Dancin' Dan / Oklahoma Indian Jazz | Fred Waring & The Pennsylvanians / The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1924 | Album |
Rock-A-Bye My Baby Blues / Tears Of Happiness | The Troubadours / The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1924 | Album |
Pickin' 'Em Up And Layin' 'Em Down / The Doodle-um Blues | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1924 | Album |
Forget-Me-Not / You Can Take Me Away From Dixie | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago / Jack Chapman And His Drake Hotel Orchestra | 1924 | Album |
Just For A While / Just A Girl That Men Forget | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago / The Troubadours | 1924 | Album |
Go, Emmaline / Words | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1924 | Album |
Wait'll You See My Gal / Eileen | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago / Jean Goldkette And His Orchestra | 1924 | Album |
I Wonder Who's Dancing With You To-night / Are You Lonely? | Joe Raymond And His Orchestra / The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1924 | Album |
Lonely Little Wallflow'r / Worryin' Blues | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago / Phil Spitalny's Orchestra | 1924 | Album |
Copenhagen / Keep On Dancing | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1924 | Album |
Sing A Little Song / After All I Adore You | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1924 | Album |
Say It While Dancing / Starlight Bay | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1924 | Album |
I Want To Be Happy / Tea For Two | Jan Garber And His Orchestra / The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1924 | Album |
Some Other Day Some Other Girl / My Rose Marie | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1924 | Album |
Doodle-Doo-Doo / Back In Hackensack New Jersey | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1924 | Album |
Lonesome And Blue / When Lights Are Low | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1923 | Album |
That Big Blonde Mamma / Sobbin' Blues | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1923 | Album |
Oh! Sister, Ain't That Hot! / Mean, Mean Mamma | Charles Dornberger & His Orchestra / The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1923 | Album |
Down In Maryland / Georgia Cabin Door | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1923 | Album |
I Love Me / No No Nora | International Novelty Orchestra / The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1923 | Album |
Nobody Knows But My Pillow And Me / I Never Miss The Sunshine (I'm So Used To The Rain) | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1923 | Album |
Bonnie / March Of The Mannikins | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1923 | Album |
Cut Yourself A Piece Of Cake / Oh You Little Sun-Uv-Er-Gun | Paul Whiteman And His Orchestra / The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1923 | Album |
You / Do You, Don't You, Will You, Won't You Love Me Too | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1923 | Album |
Foolish Child / That Old Gang Of Mine | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1923 | Album |
Wolverine Blues / The House Of David Blues | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago / The Virginians | 1923 | Album |
My Dream Moon / Cover Me Up With The Sunshine Of Virginia | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago / Jean Goldkette And His Orchestra | 1923 | Album |
Where The Ganges Flows / Dreams Of India | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1923 | Album |
The Cat's Whiskers / In A Tent | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1923 | Album |
Somebody's Wrong / Love Tales | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1923 | Album |
I'm Drifting Back To Dreamland / Just For To-Night | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1923 | Album |
Easy Melody / In A Covered Wagon With You | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1923 | Album |
Nobody Knows But My Pillow And Me / I Never Miss The Sunshine (I'm So Used To The Rain) | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1923 | Album |
My Mammy Knows / Angel Child | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1922 | Album |
Don't Bring Me Posies / On The Alamo | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1922 | Album |
Stuttering / Those Longing For You Blues | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1922 | Album |
Ten Little Fingers And Ten Little Toes / In Bluebird Land | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1922 | Album |
The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise / Tomorrow Morning | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1922 | Album |
Syncopate / Little Thoughts | Club Royal Orchestra, The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1922 | Album |
Virginia Blues / Venetian Love Boat | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1922 | Album |
Oogie Oogie Wa Wa / Deedle Deedle Dum | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1922 | Album |
I'm Through / Open Your Arms My Alabamy | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago / Zez Confrey And His Orchestra | 1922 | Album |
Virginia Blues / Venetian Love Boat | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1922 | Album |
Swanee Bluebird / Just Because You're You (That's Why I Love You) | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago / All Star Trio | 1922 | Album |
Bow Wow Blues / Railroad Blues | Original Dixieland Jazz Band / The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1922 | Album |
Toot, Toot, Tootsie! (Goo'bye) / Do I? (Do I-Do I Love Her?) | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1922 | Album |
Say It While Dancing / I'm Just Wild About Harry | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago, Paul Whiteman And His Orchestra | 1922 | Album |
Truly / Birdie-A Sweety-Tweety | Paul Whiteman And His Orchestra / The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1922 | Album |
Tee-Pee Blues / Black Eyed Blues | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1922 | Album |
I Love You Sunday / Oh Gee! Oh Gosh! (My Feet Won't Behave) | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1921 | Album |
Sal-O-May / Wabash Blues | Joseph C. Smith's Orchestra / The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1921 | Album |
One Kiss / Just Like A Rainbow | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1921 | Album |
Canadian Capers / Bimini Bay | Paul Whiteman And His Orchestra / The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1921 | Album |
Toddle / Moonlight | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago / Paul Whiteman And His Orchestra | 1921 | Album |
Scandinavia / Ain't We Got Fun | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1921 | Album |
My Sunny Tennessee / Ma! | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1921 | Album |
Na-Jo / San | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1921 | Album |
Biddy / Somebody | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1921 | Album |
Crooning / I'll Keep On Loving You | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1921 | Album |
One Kiss / Just Like A Rainbow | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1921 | Album |
Crooning / Moonlight | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago / Paul Whiteman And His Ambassador Orchestra | 1921 | Album |
It Must Be Someone Like You / When The Sun Goes Down | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1921 | Album |
Tuck Me To Sleep In My Old 'Tucky Home / Wabash Blues | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1921 | Album |
Chili Bean / My Little Bimbo | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1920 | Album |
Fair One / I'd Love To Fall Asleep And Wake Up In My Mammy's Arms | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | 1920 | Album |
June Moon / No One's Fool | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | Album | |
That's Georgia / Morning | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | Album | |
Smillin’ -Foxtrot/No One’s Fool -Foxtrot | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | Album | |
Starlight Bay | The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago | Album |