Will Shade & Charlie Burse (Original Members of the Memphis Jug Band) “Kansas City Blues” 1958 Live
Will Shade
Born: February 5, 1898 Memphis, Tennessee,
Died: September 18, 1966 (aged 68) Memphis, Tennessee
Charlie Burse
Born: August 25, 1901
Died: December 20, 1965
The Memphis Jug Band was an American musical group active from the mid-1920s to the late band featured harmonica, kazoo, fiddle and mandolin or banjolin, backed by guitar, piano, washboard, washtub bass and jug. They played slow blues, pop songs, humorous songs and upbeat dance numbers with jazz and string band flavors. The band made the first commercial recordings in Memphis, Tennessee, and recorded more sides than any other prewar jug band.
Beginning in 1926, African-American musicians in the Memphis area grouped around the singer, songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player Will Shade (also known as Son Brimmer or Sun Brimmer). The personnel of the band varied from day to day, with Shade booking gigs and arranging recording sessions. The band was as a training ground for musicians who wou