Sonny Clay Hartford Ballroom Orchestra ~ Cho-King ~ Sonny Clay 5/6 78 rpm

Sold Date: May 19, 2020
Start Date: May 12, 2020
Final Price: $500.00 (USD)
Bid Count: 1
Seller Feedback: 2719
Buyer Feedback: 197


Here's a West Coast rarity.  Sonny Clay and his Hartford Ballroom Orchestra play "St. Louis Blues" and "Cho-King" on his own Sonny Clay label.  Doc Hart, James "King" Porter (tp); Leon White (tb); Leonard Davidson, Sherman Williams (cl,as); Carlton Wade (cl,ts); Sonny Clay (p); Frank Watkins (bj); Bert Holliday (tu); David Lewis (d); unknown (vcl).  Sides recorded in Los Angeles in August 1931 for Brunswick, which did not issue them; then purchased by Champion and issued on Champion 16365 (as "Dixie Serenaders") and Superior 2771 (as "Ladd's Black Aces").  Stirring music!  On YouTube (not this copy).
This record is in V+ condition generally.  The music is loud and crisp.  There is a wide circular crack in the middle of the grooves on the "St. Louis Blues" side (see last picture) which ticks lightly for about one chorus, does not extend to the edges of the disc, and barely breaks the surface on the "Cho-King" side.  
I'm a longtime collector who is downsizing.  I know how to pack records.