Roaring 20s: Ray Miller & His Orch. - Ain't You Baby, 1929

Ain't You Baby - Ray Miller & His Orch, v.Dusty Rhoads, Brunswick 1929

This is a little remembered band of the early 1920's. Among the sidemen who at one time or another played with the band are Miff Mole, Frankie Trumbauer, Andy Sannella, Muggsy Spanier, Wingy Manone. Some of their recordings have really spirited solos on such songs like "Weary Blues"; "Angry"; "Stomp Your Stuff", and "That's A Plenty". The vocalists were Irving Kaufman, Frank Wright, Harry Maxfield, Billy Jones, Frank Bessinger, Bob Nolan and The Downe Sisters.

In 1916, Ray Miller was working as a 'singing waiter' in Chicago's 'Casino Gardens', at the same time that the 'Original Dixieland Jazz Band' was appearing. When the ODJB toured to New York City, Miller followed them, and formed his six member 'Black And White Melody Boys' in NYC. The „jazz craze" was riding high, and Miller's group originally played in that jazz manner. One of the bandsmen was trombonist Tom Brown, who, at one time, had one of the very earliest 'White' Jazz bands in old New Orleans. It was probably Tom Brown's talent that allowed the "Black and White Melody Boys" to play true 'Dixieland Jazz". They were featured in several New York musical productions, before Miller established a full-scale dance band orchestra in the early 20s.

They quickly became a highly rated musical attraction in the New York area, where Miller concentrated his activities. This included residencies at the New York Hippodrome, Arcadia Ballroom and Atlantic City. They recorded for Gennett, OKeh, Columbia. Unfortunately, by the early 1930s the band members had gone their separate ways.