photo courtesy Local 627, A.F.M

Dave Lewis Jazz Boys, Troost Dancing Academy, Kansas City, 1920

Left to right: Leroy Maxey, drums; Depriest Wheeler, trombone; unidentified, banjo; Lawrence Denton, clarinet; Dude Knox, piano; unidentified, violin; Dave Lewis, alto sax, leader.

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“A Chicago musician, Lewis held down the best-paying job in Kansas City in 1920, only to lose it when he refused to hire a second saxophonist.  Maxey and Wheeler became stars with Cab Calloway a decade later.”

– Chuck Haddix and Frank Driggs

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photo courtesy Paul Banks/Driggs Collection

Lena and Sylvester Kimbrough, accompanied by Paul Banks Kansas Trio, 1924

Left to right:  Clifton Banks, alto sax; Winston M.W. Holmes, clarinet; Lena Kimbrough, vocals; Paul Banks, leader/piano; Sylvester Kimbrough, vocals

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“Paul Banks was probably the oldest bandleader.  He worked steadily, keeping a day job at the Armour meat-packing company.  He kept working into the late 1940s.”

– Chuck Haddix and Frank Driggs