Blues singer Al “Fats” Thomas was a Chicago-based blues singer who is mainly known for the Checker recording of 1952, “Baby please no no”. He is also known as the man who discovered The Moonglows.
We do not have any biographical information for this artiste: can anyone help, please?
Tenison Stephens | Inside Jazz | tc482
Bay area and Hawaii jazz musician Tenison Stephens is best known for his work with Phil Upchurch, but little is known of this gentleman, who recorded for other labels including Back Beat.
Can anyone provide any further information about this artist, please?
Little Sonny, Joe Von Battle, John Lee Hooker and Emmit Slay | Jacques Demetre, 1959 | tc568
Sunday Blues notes:
Vocalist/guitarist Emmit Slay was a member of Todd Rhodes’ Orchestra, where he recorded two records with Rhodes in Detroit in 1950. After two years with his own trio, Slay launched a solo career in 1953 recording ten sides for Savoy. Two sides for an unknown label were never issued in 1957. Eight recordings were made for Checker in 1958, but only two were released. Slay’s final two recordings were made for JVB in 1959.
No biographical data is known for this artist.
Saxophonist and singer Elliott Shavers, whose real name is believed to be Elliott Chavers, led an instrumental band who made a number of records in the early 1960s, some of which were distributed by Chess. Elliott Chavers was born in Waco, Texas on November 15, 1930. He relocated to Los Angeles where the recordings are thought to have been made, including surfing music instrumentals. Mr Chavers is thought to be deceased.
Can anyone provide any more information about this artist, please?
No photo located.
The Sentimentals | Image restored by Google | tc481
A 1950s vocal group, the Sentimentals are understood to have been Sylvester Jackson, Floyd Bond, Edward Copeland, Kipling Pittman and Michael Riggins. There was another group also called The Sentimentals.
Chicago based blues singer Bobby Saxton is mainly known for his Checker recording “Trying to make a living” which was originally issued on the Bea and Baby label then picked up by Chess for national distribution. Earl Hooker is understood to be playing lead guitar on this recording, which dates from around 1960.
No pictures of this artist have been located. Can anyone help with more information about Bobby Saxton, please.
Sylvester “Slim” Saunders Jr. was a New Orleans vocalist whose recording of “Lets Have some fun” was recorded in New Orleans and leased to Chess for national distribution in 1954.
Sylvester Saunders,Jr. was born in New Orleans on December 24, 1929 and died on September 14, 1998. His nickname is also known to be “Sil” and could have been credited incorrectly on the Chess record label. He was buried at Roch Cemetry, New Orleans. His discs were recorded by Cosimo Matassa.
Many thanks to Marc for the information concerning this artist. Paul
Cosimo Vincent Matassa was an American recording engineer and studio owner, responsible for many R&B and early rock and roll recordings, who was born on 13 April 1926, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States and died on 11 September 2014.
