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For our feature this week, we cruise through the first 10 years of the Savoy Records catalog. Savoy was founded in 1942 by Herman Lubinsky, the owner of the Radio Record Shop in Newark, New Jersey. The label specialized in jazz, R&B, and gospel music and became one of the most important independent record labels of
the 1940s and 1950s.
Much of the research material for our feature can be found at vocalgroupharmony.com
SAVOY RECORDS RESOURCES
Savoy Records (main article) @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Harman Lubinsky biography @ wikipedia.org
Savoy Records Discography Project
WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 2024
Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date
Groovin with Grimes
Johnny Big Stone & the Blues Workers
Juke Joint Sessions Vol.1 2016
Rhythm & Bugs
Savoy Dictators
Savoy Records 1942
This loonytoon by a band with an unfortunate name was Savoy’s first release.
Lubinsky had recorded the song and three others by the Dictators in the late 1930s.
Don’t Stop Now
Bonnie Davis w/ the Bunny Banks Trio
Savoy Records 1943
Savoy’s third release, “Don’t Stop Now” was on Billboard’s fledging “Harlem Hit
Parade” for twelves weeks, peaking at number one.
How Long, How Long Blues
Coleman Hawkins w/ Joe Turner
Savoy Records 1940
Many of Savoy’s early releases were of songs recorded much earlier, but not
released for one reason or another. For example, this tune by Coleman Hawkins
was recorded in 1940, but was not released until 1943.
I Can’t Stop It Ben Levin Still Here 2021
Don’t Put Me Down
Jimmy Liggins & His Drops of Joy
Specialty Records 1949
Lovin’ Machine Wynonie Harris King Records 1951
Why Don’t You Eat Where You Slept Last Night
ZuZu Bollin
Torch Records 1952
Kidney Stew Blues Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson Mercury Records 1947
Pete Brown’s Boogie
Pete Brown Quintette
Savoy Records 1944
Pete Brown was a sax player, pianist, and bandleader from Baltimore, Maryland.
He lead Savoy’s house band on many dates in the 1940s.
Fortune Tellin’ Man
Helen Humes w/ Leonard Feather’s Hip-Tet
Savoy Records 1944
After Humes left the Count Basie organization, she recorded several tunes for
Savoy without great success. Her fortunes turned when she recorded
“Be-Baba-Leba” after signing with Philo Records in 1945.
Tiny’s Tempo
Tiny Grimes Quintette
Savoy Records 1944 Charlie Parker played alto with Grimes’s group before forming
his own combo. This side was one of the Bird’s first appearances on Savoy, the label
with which Bird is most closely associated.
San Diego Bounce Harold Land All Stars Regent Records 1950
Boogie In The Dark
Count Basie Orchestra & Bobby Rush
Basie Swings the Blues 2023
I’ll Do Anything But Work Ray Charles Swing Time Records 1950
I’ll Drown In My Tears Lula Reed King Records 1951
Smooth Sailing Ella Fitzgerald Decca Records 1952
What’s The Matter With Me
Albinia Jones (Albennie Jones)
Savoy Records 1945
Recorded in NYC on April 14, 1945 during a session credited to Albinia Jones with
Don Byas’ Swing Seven – Dizzy Gillespie, trumpet; Gene Sedric, clarinet; Sammy
Price, alto sax; Don Byas, tenor sax; Leonard Ware, guitar; Oscar Smith, bass;
Doc West, drums; Albinia Jones, vocal.
Sweet Man
Miss Rhapsody (Viola Wells) with Ruben Cole’s Orchestra
Savoy Records 1945
Billie’s Bounce
Charlie Parker’s Re-Boppers
Savoy Records 1945
Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2022,”Billie’s Bounce” was recorded at
WOR Studios, Broadway, NYC on November 26, 1945. The players are Miles Davis, trumpet; Charlie Parker, alto sax; Dizzy Gillespie, piano; Curly Russell, bass; Max
Roach, drums. Many people assume that the “Billie” in the title was Billie Holiday,
but Parker actually dedicated the tune to either Dizzy Gillespie’s manager, Billy Shaw,
or Shaw’s secretary, who was called “Billie.” The truth may never be known.
On the Sunny Side of the Street
(Nat) King Cole
Savoy Records 1946
Released to cash in on Cole’s popularity, the song was recorded in Los Angeles, California on April 18, 1940. It features the King Cole Quartet: Nat King Cole,
piano, vocal; Oscar Moore, guitar; Johnny Miller, bass; Lee Young, drums.
Upstairs
Piccadilly Pipers
Savoy Records 1946
Recorded in 1942, but not released until 1946, “Upstairs” is an example of
the so-called risqué records released on Savoy. The Pipers were Clem Moorman,
piano; Ernie Ransom, guitar; Henry Padgett, bass; Bonnie Davis, vocal.
Jumpin’ Jacquet
Illinois Jacquet Band
Savoy Records 1946
Recorded in NYC on January 7, 1946 with Emmett Berry, trumpet; Illinois Jacquet,
tenor sax; Bill Doggett, piano; Freddie Green, guitar; John Simmons, bass;
Shadow Wilson, drums.
We’re Gonna Rock, We’re Gonna Roll
Wild Bill Moore
Savoy Records 1947
Moore’s only entry on the Billboard chart, “We’re Gonna Rock…” was the
14th most popular R&B song for the week of July 14, 1948.
It was Savoy Records #666.
Corn Bread
Hal Singer Sextet
Savoy Records 1948
The first of two songs by Singer that made the Top 10. “Corn Bread”
baked on the national R&B chart for 22 weeks and spent eight weeks at
number one.
Barbados
Charlie Parker All Stars
Savoy Records 1948
Parker’s only record to make it onto the national R&B charts, “Barbados” was
the 15th most played song for the week ending December 18, 1948.
The All Stars: Miles Davis, trumpet; Charlie Parker, alto sax; John Lewis,
piano; Curly Russell, bass; and Max Roach, drums.
You Satisfy
Billy Wright
Savoy Records 1949
Wright’s second of four Top 10 hits for Savoy. The Atlanta native scored a total of
four national hits – and several regional hits – while signed to Savoy. His recording career faded when he moved to Peacock Records in the mid 1950s.
Mistrusting Blues
Johnny Otis Orchestra
Savoy Records 1950
The second in a string of 14 hits by Johnny Otis on Savoy or its subsidiary
Regents label, “Mistrusting Blues” was the number one R&B record in the
country for four weeks in 1950.
School Days
Dizzy Gillespie Sextet
Regent Records (Savoy Records) 1951
Recorded in Detroit, Michigan on March 1, 1951. The Sextet: Dizzy Gillespie,
trumpet; John Coltrane, tenor sax; Milt Jackson, vibes; Kenny Burrell, guitar;
Percy Heath, bass; & “Kansas” Fields, drums.
Weepin’ & Cryin’
Tommy Brown & The Griffin Brothers
Regent Records 1951
Tommy Brown was an Atlanta original. “Weepin’ & Cryin’,” his signature song,
was the number 1 R&B song in the country for three weeks in December of 1951.
(sign off)
Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2025
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