Cats 'N Jammer Three - I Cover The Water Front ~1945

The Cats 'N Jammer Three had a bit of tumultuous start, starting with someone who would end up not even in the band at all. In 1944, guitarist Ernest Ashley, pianist Bill Samuels (Ernest Ashley's brother in-law), and bassist Sylvester Hickman were in band together called the "Three Cats 'N Jammers" (not confusing at all). Ernest Ashley was very much the lead of this original band as made evident by many newspaper and magazine articles saying as much, like Billboard calling them the Ernest Ashley Trio even though their name was well established. The group was known for their varying styles, often getting compared to the King Cole Trio, but with a little more versatility, offering jump and blues, and sweet melodies, and harmonies. As of February 1945, they began talks with National Records for a recording contract.

In July 1945, Bill Samuels wanted to part ways with the group. He started his own band called the 'Three Smoke Rings" (also a guitar, piano and bass trio). It turned out Samuels brought bassist Hickman with him and found Adam Lambert for guitar. It didn't take long for them to get noticed, and it took even less time for them to take the name they would settle on: "Cats 'N Jammer Three". They were signed quickly by the new Mercury Records, led by president Irving Green, son of National Records' Al Green. This song, "I Cover The Waterfront", came from their first ever recording session on September 15, 1945. The song was originally commissioned back in 1933 for the movie of the same name, but wasn't completed in time. Ben Bernie would be the first to record it and subsequent prints of the movie would have the song included in the soundtrack. The song would release in late November or early December with Down Beat reviewing the record as follows:

"Baritone Bill Samuels makes the most impressive vocal debut in many a week with his work on each of these sides - first a particularly fine standard, the second a typical double-meaning sepia blues tune. His voice has perhaps an over-effected [sic; should be "affected"] Eckstine style, but as such has exceptional commercial possibilities and finds itself well adaptable to blues or ballad singing. It's particularly rich and expressive. Cats 'n Jammers supply instrumental backing with good electric guitar bits and bass and piano. Both sides are exceptional small group recordings. And let's hear more of Mr. Samuels - particularly with his own, fine trio."

The record would go on to sell millions of copies, but this song would only chart for a single week (April 6, 1946) peaking at #5 on the obscure "Most Played Juke Box Race Records" chart.

The group would continue to record until late 1947, and toured consistently, playing everything from Cafe's to headlining the Apollo Theater. Some of those shows would even be broadcast on WBBM getting them some airtime exposure. It seemed like the January 1, 1948 musicians strike would kill the band as by February, Bill Samuels was entertaining solo at his lounge. Lambert and Hickman would get pianist Jimmy Bowman to fill the spot and the new group would be called the "Rhythm-ites".