THE NORFOLK JAZZ & JUBILEE QUARTETS

The Norfolk Jazz & Jubilee Quartets was an American vocal ensemble, initially known as the Norfolk Jazz Quartets and later recording as the Norfolk Jubilee Quartet . The quartet was one of the first groups to record close harmony pieces in the jazz and spiritual genres .

The Norfolk Jazz Quartet performed in Norfolk, Virginia , from the beginning of 1919. Recordings began in 1921, including the first recording of Jelly Roll Morton's early jazz piece, "Jelly Roll Blues ." Most of these recordings feature guitar in addition to the vocals. Between 1924 and 1929, the vocal quartet recorded under the names The Negro Spirituals or Norfolk Jubilee Quartette , but continued to perform vaudeville numbers under the original name. Some recordings were also marketed as the Palmetto Jazz Quartet .

The Norfolk Jazz & Jubilee Quartet was one of the most popular vocal groups of the 1920s, recording over 110 tracks during its existence, initially for Okeh , then for Paramount Records , and from 1937 for Decca Records . At that time, the group consisted of Norman Harris and Len Williams, along with newcomers Raymond Smith and Melvin Coldten. Its members had begun their careers in vaudeville (including in the Mamie Smith Review ) before moving into musical theatre . Their recorded repertoire initially included classic jazz and blues pieces and novelty songs from minstrel shows , until, from 1924 onwards, they primarily recorded spirituals such as "Father Prepare Me" alongside secular titles like "Queen Street Rag" and "Louisiana Bo Bo." The group disbanded after the death of bassist and arranger Len Williams in 1940.