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* Oct 17, 1901 New Orleans, La
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Davey Jones (tenor sax) and Lee Collins (trumpet) had been playing in the early 1920's. The 'Jones and Collins Astoria Hot 8' band is one of only six early New Orleans 'Black' bands that were recorded in New Orleans during the 1920's. (The other five were: 'Louis Dumaine's Jazzola Eight'; 'Armand Piron's New Orleans Orchestra'; 'Fate Marable's Society Syncopaters'; 'Oscar "Papa" Celestin's Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra', and 'Sam Moragan's Jazz Band'.) Bio on Lee Collins: Very few folks recall now that, in 1924, it was Lee Collins who replaced Louis Armstrong in King Oliver's Chicago band. In the late 1920s, he returned to New Orleans and cut four wonderful sides as the "Jones-Collins Astoria Hot Eight" (1929). The lineup for the Jones and Collins group included Lee Collins on trumpet, David Jones on tenor sax, Sidney Arodin on clarinet, Theodore Purnell on alto sax, John Robechaux on piano, Al Morgan on bass (and vocals), Emmanuel Sayles on banjo, and Joe Strode Raphael playing the drums. When this writer was still not quite a teenager, he lived in New York, around the corner from the Commodore Record Shop. The owner of that shop often re-recorded some of the very early (and rare) Dixieland releases, --by Subscription only. If you thought you would like the release, you would pay your 2 dollars up front, and when the shop had enough subscribers, they would 'cut' the new master. I very well recall subscribing for two of the Jones and Collins Hot 8 sides. Listen now to the band playing "Duet Strut", (Victor -38576-B ) and, on the reverse side, to "Astoria Strut" - (Victor -38576-A) (One of this writer's favorite Dixieland Jazz records has always been this 'Jones And Collins Astoria Hot Eight' playing "Astoria Strut" and "Duet Stomp". My copy was the Commodore label re-release.) Incidentally, back in 1929, they also recorded "Damp Weather", (Bluebird B-10952-A) and on the reverse side "Tip Easy Blues" -(Bluebird B-10952-B). In the 1930's Collins worked with Johnny Dodds and formed a band that toured the U.S.A. until the mid 1940's. Collins also played briefly in 1930 with the Luis Russell orchestra in New York, before returning to Chicago, where, throughout the 1930s and '40s, he was a regular fixture in Chicago clubs and often accompanied many of the local Blues singers. In the 1950's his health declined, however he continued to tour including tours of Europe, one with Art Hodes, and again in 1951 and 1954, with Mezz Mezzrow. However, with declining health, he soon became ill and had to retire. Interested visitors to this site would well appreciate reading his autobiography "Oh Didn't He Ramble", which is filled with priceless stories about the early days of New Orleans Jazz. Davey Jones (tenor sax) and Lee Collins (trumpet) had been playing in the early 1920's. The 'Jones and Collins Astoria Hot 8' band is one of only six early New Orleans 'Black' bands that were recorded in New Orleans during the 1920's. (The other five were: 'Louis Dumaine's Jazzola Eight'; 'Armand Piron's New Orleans Orchestra'; 'Fate Marable's Society Syncopaters'; 'Oscar "Papa" Celestin's Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra', and 'Sam Moragan's Jazz Band'.)Bio on Lee Collins: Collins was a star trumpeter of old New Orleans who later led many dance bands, Dixieland groups and combos during his 50 year career. While still a teenager, he was already playing in the old New Orleans Brass Bands, including the Young Eagles, the Columbia Band, and the Young Tuxedo Band. Collins, a very talented trumpeter, was much in demand. Most of the bands he formed in the 1920's were organized for a special engagement or recording session. He also co-led bands with "Pops" Foster, "Zutty" Singleton and "Jelly Roll" Morton. Very few folks recall now that, in 1924, it was Lee Collins who replaced Louis Armstrong in King Oliver's Chicago band. In the late 1920s, he returned to New Orleans and cut four wonderful sides as the "Jones-Collins Astoria Hot Eight" (1929). The lineup for the Jones and Collins group included Lee Collins on trumpet, David Jones on tenor sax, Sidney Arodin on clarinet, Theodore Purnell on alto sax, John Robechaux on piano, Al Morgan on bass (and vocals), Emmanuel Sayles on banjo, and Joe Strode Raphael playing the drums. When this writer was still not quite a teenager, he lived in New York, around the corner from the Commodore Record Shop. The owner of that shop often re-recorded some of the very early (and rare) Dixieland releases, --by Subscription only. If you thought you would like the release, you would pay your 2 dollars up front, and when the shop had enough subscribers, they would 'cut' the new master. I very well recall subscribing for two of the Jones and Collins Hot 8 sides. Listen now to the band playing "Duet Strut", (Victor -38576-B ) and, on the reverse side, to "Astoria Strut" - (Victor -38576-A) (One of this writer's favorite Dixieland Jazz records has always been this 'Jones And Collins Astoria Hot Eight' playing "Astoria Strut" and "Duet Stomp". My copy was the Commodore label re-release.) Incidentally, back in 1929, they also recorded "Damp Weather", (Bluebird B-10952-A) and on the reverse side "Tip Easy Blues" -(Bluebird B-10952-B). In the 1930's Collins worked with Johnny Dodds and formed a band that toured the U.S.A. until the mid 1940's. Collins also played briefly in 1930 with the Luis Russell orchestra in New York, before returning to Chicago, where, throughout the 1930s and '40s, he was a regular fixture in Chicago clubs and often accompanied many of the local Blues singers. In the 1950's his health declined, however he continued to tour including tours of Europe, one with Art Hodes, and again in 1951 and 1954, with Mezz Mezzrow. However, with declining health, he soon became ill and had to retire. Interested visitors to this site would well appreciate reading his autobiography "Oh Didn't He Ramble", which is filled with priceless stories about the early days of New Orleans Jazz.i2 In 1919 he worked parade with Buddy Petit, Chris Kelly. He was a pupil of Professor Jim Humphrey. 1920 with the Golden Leaf Band. In 1954 he played for a while on Bourbon Street at the Paddock with Ricard Alexis.16
Sources
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