Washboard Rhythm Kings

The Washboard Rhythm Kings (which had different personnel on each session) played jubilant jazz that defied the soothing music trend of the first Depression years, having a washboard player and usually several horns along with spirited group vocals. The emphasis was on simple goodtime music that dropped between Dixieland and golf swing. It debuted as the Alabama Washboard Stompers in 1930, became the Washboard Rhythm Kings in 1931, and by 1934-1935 was referred to as the Georgia Washboard Stompers. A number of the workers haven’t been discovered, but among the known players are guitarist Teddy Bunn; trumpeters Taft Jordan and Valaida Snow; vocalist Leo Watson; and such regulars as vocalist Jake Fenderson, Steve Washington on banjo and vocals, and Ben Smith on clarinet and alto.