1931, Williams Purple Knights Orch. , Dinah, Living Loving You, college band, HD 78rpm

[@Prozoot]

Back in the 20s, college music hit a high point helping to usher in the wild rhythms of syncopated jazz. Music from college reviews, stage musicals, and hot dance compositions were recorded as vanity discs and sold to alumni as a memento of their formative years. The Princeton Triangle bands of Princeton University, NJ were the best-known of these 78rpm records, and they produced at least one star, Jimmy Stewart. Someone at the College had a connection with Columbia Records, so good recordings were made for these limited-edition discs. Further north in Williamstown, Mass, Williams College also ventured into the music-producing business with at least one jazzy effort by the Williams Purple Knights, a student house band. And as with Princeton, someone's daddy had a connection with RCA Victor, so a professional recording session was made on Jan. 2, 1931, in New York City of "Dinah"/"Living, Loving You". As a limited run of several hundred records, distribution was mainly for the Williamstown community. Aside from a squeaky clarinet, the band is fairly competent and is playing to an excellent chart with great hot solos. The vocal trio is outstanding and probably not just double duty by band members, but instead recruited from the college glee club -- they're too polished sounding. The name "Purple Knights" is a wise-guy moniker for the band, suggesting a point of arrival, maybe sexual or a defining moment in one's life. In those days, the word purple had several slang conotations with a double meaning including sex (as in my purple moment, or a purple flash!). The band's triple entendre covered a range of suggested naughtiness, plus purple was the color of royalty so they were self inoculated against criticism. To my knowledge, these bad boys made only one record. ....on to politics: If I haven't made it clear, our Democrat brethren have big plans for you and your money in the coming term. Among several disastrous proposals, the Unrealized Capital Gains Tax is outrageous and downright cruel. If they recapture the Whitehouse, they will bleed us dry with this and many other creative taxation schemes. People don't seem to grasp the concept of Unrealized Capital Gains -- this means the IRS will be taxing you an additional 25% yearly fee based on the amount of appreciation of your property. You will need to come up with extra cash every year to pay the new appreciation tax on your house or 401K, etc. Most Lefties dismiss this as Right-wing BS and simply don't believe it's possible. Just vote for Karmella and you'll find out how possible it is! (It's in the Democrat budget for 2025!). This will destroy people financially and destroy the country. If you are looking for a tipping point, this is it! facebook.com/reel/1990239038101583

[@radiogramgramophonetoons5802]

You are so lucky to have this fantastic jazz record……….. I’m so jealous here in Wales, UK 😢😊

[@RatPfink66]

And here I thought colleges had colors...such as purple.

[@Prozoot]

@@radiogramgramophonetoons5802 ....never be jealous. I posted this record so you can enjoy it at the click of a mouse!

[@JustABowlOfCherries]

​@@ProzootI wish all music from the 20s & 30s was archived like this. Not necessarily KZbin (as it isn't ideal for quality listening), but in digital format like what you do.

[@MooseCall]

God bless. 🕊️

[@RatPfink66]

Both titles recorded in NYC, January 2, 1931, during the Purple Knights' Christmas tour with the Williams Glee Club (per the Williams Record student newspaper). Issued on the white "special" label, bearing the matrix numbers BVE 67752-2 and 67753-2, and subsequently on Victor 22625. One or both were limited to distribution in the Williamstown area and sold just 792 copies. The arrangement of _Dinah_ is credited to "Davidson and Dickerson." Frederick Dickerson was one of 4 saxophonists in the Knights. _Living, Loving You_ is credited to H.R. Safford-lyric and Robert Todd-music. Todd was a member of the Williams class of '34. The arrangement is credited to "Novle and Mills." Vocal trio includes Frederick Baldwin-t, Peter Vredenburgh-p, and Parry, who is unknown.

[@Prozoot]

....thanks for all your great input -- very appreciated.

[@RatPfink66]

@@Prozoot Not a patch on your connaisseurship and engineering in presenting the thing.

[@benzo4029]

@@RatPfink66 Stunning research! Very much appreciated. Maybe Parry played the vibes. ? Maybe a 1931-32 yearbook will turn up in a local antique store there and show pictures of these talented gates! Imagine the pride in having this souvenir record of your own hot college band, recalling all those exciting campus nights!

[@Lostintimes1]

Terrific Dinah rendition. Much more enjoyable with your impeccable sound, Roger. Perfect for my Sunday breakfast. Many thanks 🙏

[@Prozoot]

....you're becoming more tolerant in your old age. Sunday breakfast is my favorite time of the week. Thanks for the kind words.

[@Lostintimes1]

@@Prozootand you have kept your exquisite taste no matter how many years has passed 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@jerryfenwyck]

Excellent transfer of a rare record! Haven't heard this one before.

[@Y.M.sVitaphone]

...the stardust of yesterday. The music of the years gone by.

[@Prozoot]

....I would say this music is perfectly current, since there is no music today, just noise.

[@AllMy78s]

Brilliant this, quite rare I suspect...

[@theresadimaggio7241]

Awesome

[@radiogramgramophonetoons5802]

Love it……. Thanks 🙂🙂

[@benzo4029]

What a novel treat! Fascinating College effort! The solo clarinet seems to dominate both sides but sounds sophomoric at best! Lol He must have missed a few classes on melody/ improv. Sounds like he studied the clarinetist on his Tom Gerun orch. records! Still I'll give this rookie a pass as he clearly is just "going for it" hoping to land something profound! The bass sax is awesome on "Dinah.". The band sounds hot though less rehearsed than the amazing male trio who are the stars of side two. Their voices are beautifully matched and each note sung is perfectly pitched! Their harmony is as tight and spot-on as it gets! Swell! Obviously a singing group on campus lending their talent to the jazz orchestra! They came well prepared and well rehearsed and it shows. I wonder if the pianist was the music teacher?! Love the optimistic "june moon croon" song. Thankyou for sharing this 1931 campus rarity! It's a remarkable find! And a joy to hear! Imagine the fun going to the college dances and getting to dance to this hot band!

[@Prozoot]

....glad it hit the spot -- albeit a bit primitive!

[@benzo4029]

@@Prozoot Primitive?! There's a thought. Williams college boys getting primitive in a '31 rumbleseat! and how! 🤪

[@АлексейПермь-щ1м]

❤

[@tomcauthen8351]

My Mother’s family was from a sawmill town in Monroe County Alabama called Vredenburgh. The Vredenburgh family owned the mill. Wonder if there’s a connection?

[@RatPfink66]

It's not an unheard of Dutch surname around New York. The fellow in question here was Peter Vredenburgh Jr., '33, of Westport, CT. He was pianist of both the Knights and the Williams Glee Club, and subsequently elected leader of the Glee Club.

[@johnleifert3205]

3:45 I HAD this record at one time!! And, I managed to obtain the personnel. Will send to you once I locate it ( don't worry, it's not lost!! ) 😊

[@Prozoot]

@johnleifert3205 ...thank you, John -- that would be great!

[@johnleifert3205]

@@Prozoot Godfrey Barber - bjo of Bethesda, Md. / Frederick Baldwin -t (of Utica, NY) / Frederick Dickerson -t (of Chicago)/ George Harmon -saxophone, of Brockport, NY / Edwin Haertl - d ( of Pittsfield MA) / Gordon Mills - saxophone, of New York / Peter Vredenburgh -piano / and John Yarnelle - saxophone. This directly from newspaper "The Daily Argus", Mount Vernon NY of Monday Jan 5, 1931 ( the same day as the record!!) .

[@RatPfink66]

@@johnleifert3205 so is there any hit for the name "Parry" (note the Welsh spelling), third member of the vocal trio after pianist Vredenburgh and trumpeter Baldwin? I notice there is no bassist listed - perhaps he is Parry. Victor ledgers list bass, 4 saxophones, 2 cornets, banjo, piano, and traps.

[@Prozoot]

@johnleifert3205 ....John, thanks so much for the personnel -- it really breathes life into the recording.

[@johnleifert3205]

@@Prozoot You're welcome!!

[@Prozoot]

....Bob Hope on zombies: kzbin.info/www/bejne/apKZipeEorBqbc0