Fess Wiliams' Royal Flush Orchestra - Sweet Savannah Sue

By his late teens, multi-instrumentalist Stanley 'Fess' Williams (1894-1975) settled on clarinet. In 1919-23 he led his own band before joining Ollie Powers in Chicago. In 1923 he formed a new group in order to back the variety act Dave and Tressie, traveling to New York with them in 1924. There he led a trio in Albany and a band playing at the Rosemont Ballroom. In 1926 he formed the Royal Flush Orchestra at Harlem's Savoy Ballroom. In 1928 he traveled to Chicago where he led Dave Peyton's band at the Regal Theatre, calling it Fess Williams & His Joy Boys. The Royal Flush Orchestra continued to play in his absence, and in 1929 he returned to New York to resume his duties. The Royal Flush Orchestra waxed its last side in 1930. Williams remained active as a bandleader, but gradually his sound became outdated. He retired from performing full-time to sell real estate. He periodically led bands during the 40s and beyond. This hot record was made in 1929, with Wiliams himself on vocal.