“If I Didn’t Have You”
Albert Brunies & His Halfway House Orch; Johnnie Saba, vocal
(Columbia 1959 D mx 147659) December 17, 1928
“Just Pretending”
Albert Brunies & His Halfway House Orch; Johnnie Saba, vocal
(Columbia 1959 D mx 147658) December 17, 1928
Here are a couple of enjoyable recordings from a record in the Edward Mitchell collection by a jazz band that was popular in the New Orleans area throughout most of the 1920s. These were made during one of Columbia’s regular field trips to that city and were recorded in the old Godchaux Building.
The band was based out of the Halfway House, a dance hall that took its name from the fact that it was located approximately halfway between New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain.
There are several other recordings by this band in Radio Dismuke’s playlist and they all have a similar jazzy but laid-back style. The recordings here are from the band’s last recording session – though Albert Brunies did record again years later during the LP era.
At this link you will find a detailed article about the band, Albert Brunies, the other musicians in his family and the Halfway House. Note: the article indicates that the Halfway House is still standing, which it was when the article was published. Unfortunately, the building was subsequently demolished in 2010.
– Dismuke