AMERICAN GROOVES RADIO HOUR hosted by JOE LAURO

Lets have some fun! Besides a few versions of a fun lost tune from 1933 ( Yeah Man!) we bring you an assortment of select though unfocused pre-war Jazz, Blues, Country and who knows what else!

At the behest of older sister Blanche in 1930 Cab Calloway took over and fronted the hot Harlem band THE MISSOURIANS - from that point on his career rapidly moved to the stars and stayed there for some 60 years. On this episode we explore his earliest years at the Cotton Club, in the movies and play some of his earliest influences.

We do not often focus an entire episode on one artist but LONNIE JOHNSON deserves this and additional episodes!

A pioneering jazz guitarist, blues guitarist, fiddler, singer and piano player Johnson is one of the undisputed genius of pre-war music - This episode will present rare recordings of Johnson with his family string band ( on fiddle!), to sides waxed with the likes ouf LOUIS ARMSTRONG's HOT FIVE, DUKE ELLINGTON's COTTON CLUB ORCHESTRA, VICTORIA SPIVEY , EDDIE LNG as well as some amazing solo sides!

James P. Johnson was one of the forefathers of the Harlem Stride piano style - a progress from ragtime to jazz. He also was one of the most influential pianists of his day. We will explore some of James P's early piano solos from his groundbreaking CAROLINA SHOUT in 1921 to some of his band sides. We also will hear early recordings by perhaps his greatest disciple Thomas "Fats" Waller who took the Harlem Stride style even a step further!

Born in Baltimore April 7, 1915 By the time she was 21 Billie Holiday became Jazz's GREATEST vocal stylist . We will dig into her earliest recordings from the landmark 1933 John Hammond session ( her 1st!) to her early 1940s records on commodore for Milt Gabler. We will also hear sione of her influences and imitators - Give BILLIE a listen on what would have her 109th birthday ( my birthday too!)

Ameericn Grooves goes to church! We will explore some of the deep American sacred and gospel music on this religious day. From Sacred Harp/Shaped Note quartets, to Sanctified preaching and Jubilee singing DENISON's SACRED HARP SINGERS OF ALABAMA, MIDDLE GEORGIA SINGING CONVENTION, BLIND ROOSEVELT GRAVES, PHIPPS FAMILY the old weird America for sure! ( not to be confused with the new weird America!)

In the 1920s and early 1930s "headin' uptown" meant a night of clubbing in HARLEM. And when you went you might have been entertained by any number of fabulous bands who lived and played "up-town". This episode , the second of two is dedicated to all of those Harem based bands - from LOUIS ARMSTRONG & HIS ORCHESTRA, MILLS BLUE RHYTHM BAND , JIMMY LUNCEFORD's ORCHESTRA, JOE STEELE ORCHESTRA, CAB CALLOWAY and THE MISSOURIANS before him to name just a few...and how can we forget CHICK WEBB and DUKE ELLINGTON'S mighty COTTON CLUB ORCHESTRA...we won't!

A celebration of St. Pat's day featuring hte music of some of the talented Irish Immigrants who recorded their folk and dance music in that great "melting pot" called America . From PACKIE DOLAN & HIS BOYS to tenor JOHN McCORMACK. We also will play some of the today seldom heard comic "Character songs" of the early 20th Century sung by the likes of ADA JONES and "RAGTIME" BOB ROBERTS ....We'll be wearing the green!

In the 1920s and early 1930s "headin' uptown" meant a night of clubbing in HARLEM. And when you went you might have been entertained by any number of fabulous bands who lived and played "up-town". This episode , the first of two is dedicated to all of those Harem based bands - from LUIS RUSSELL'S ORCHESTRA, SAVOY BEARCATS, JIMMY LUNCEFORD's ORCHESTRA, CAB CALLOWAY and THE MISSOURIANS before him to name just a few...and how can we forget CHICK WEBB and DUKE ELLINGTON'S mighty COTTON CLUB ORCHESTRA...we won't!

This episode explores the blues to rock tune KEEP A KNOCKIN'

From it's origins as MY BUCKET's GOT A HOLE IN IT on . Tom Gates & His Orchestra on Gennett, Lizzie Miles on Vocalion and Boodle It Wiggins on Paramount are some of the versions heard!