The Synco Jazz Band was one of several recording ensembles involving clarinet and baritone saxophonist Joseph Samuels. Beginning in January 1919, this group made a series of jazz or jazz-like records which were issued on the Arrow, Arto, Columbia, Empire, Grey Gull, Homochord, Operaphone, Pathe Actuelle, and Perfect phonograph labels. Their recordings were also released under the names of the Alabama Jazz Band, the Astoria Orchestra, the Great Western Serenaders, Joseph Samuels His Orchestra, the Novelty Dance Orchestra, and the Regent Dance Orchestra, among many others. The only known players in the Synco Jazz Band -- in addition to Samuels -- were Jules Levy, Jr., cornet, Ephraim Hannaford, trombone, and pianist Larry Briers. The drummer has not been positively identified but may have been Herman Berkin. None of the banjo players who periodically recorded with this band from 1921-1923 have ever been identified either. Nathan Glantz is believed to have played alto saxophone with this ensemble from time to time, and in 1924 and 1926, additional instruments were added, such as tuba, soprano sax, and piano-accordion. The Synco Jazz Band's choice of material was often surprisingly substantial. In 1919 they recorded Everybody Shimmies Now, The Alcoholic Blues, At the Jazz Band Ball, and the Beale Street Blues. In 1920, they chose to record Bluin' the Blues, arguably the most savory melody ever to come out of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band. In 1921, the Syncos recorded Sweet Mama, The Satanic Blues, and, most notably of all, Luckey Roberts' Railroad Blues. They came out with Chicago, The State Street Blues, and Hot Lips in 1922, and House of David Blues, Red Hot!, and Do-Doodle-Oom in 1923, placing the Synco Jazz Band in relative competition with Fletcher Henderson. Their jazziest records of 1924 were TheWest Indies Blues, Nobody Knows What a Red Headed Mama Can Do, The Blues Have Got Me, Oh! Mabel, and I Ain't Got Nobody To Love. 1926 -- their last year of recording under this name -- saw them produce three final recordings, most notably the Bell Hoppin' Blues. What this world needs is a double-CD chronicling the history of this hot little band, a mysterious group that occupies an historical position somewhere between the Original Dixieland Jazz Band and the New Orleans Rhythm Kings. ~ arwulf arwulf, Rovi