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Goin' Nuts

The Six Jolly Jesters

Bruce Johnson , Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Freddy Jenkins , Harold Randolph, Joe Nanton , Johnny Hodges, Teddy Bunn, Wellman Braud

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This recording was made in New York City by "The Six Jolly Jesters" a pseudonym for the "Duke Ellington Orchestra," on October 29th 1929 featuring Putney Dandridge vocals, Harold Randolph vocals & kazoo, Cootie Williams and Freddy Jenkins trumpet, Joe Nanton trombone, Johnny Hodges alto sax, Duke Ellington piano & leader, Teddy Bunn guitar, Wellman Braud bass, and Bruce Johnson washboard.

*"Goin' Nuts" was composed by Irving Mills.

Louis "Putney" Dandridge, born January 13th 1902, was originally from Richmond, Virginia and began his career as a pianist in 1918 as part of a revue known as the "Drake and Walker Show" and went on to work in Harlem as an accompanist to tap dance legend Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. He appeared in a number of memorable black musicals including "Brown Buddies" and in February 1931, was cast in "Heatin' Up Harlem" starring Adelaide Hall. After touring the Mid-West Putney settled in Cleveland, Ohio in the early 1930's where he formed his own band including guitarist Lonnie Johnson. At the end of the 1930's poor health forced Dandridge into retirement. He died in Wall Township, New Jersey on February 15th 1946 at the relatively young age of forty-four.