Contrary to their name, the Harlem Hamfats was formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1936. Originally brought together as one of the first acknowledged session bands, the Harlem Hamfets were initially meant to back Decca Records artists such as Johnny Temple, Frankie Jaxon, and Rosetta Howard. The band was comprised of members Kansas Joe McCoy (guitar/vocals), Papa Charlie McCoy (guitar/mandolin), Herb Morand (trumpet/vocals), John Lindsay (bass), Odell Rand (clarinet), Horace Malcolm (piano), Freddie Flynn (drums), and Perlis Williams (drums). The band’s blending of blues, jazz, swing and Dixieland allowed them to play different styles with ease. The Harlem Hamfats also tried their hand at recording on their own, releasing the single “Oh! Red”, which proved to be a hit and earned them a long-term recording contract with Decca Records. Many of their own releases fell into the dirty blues genre including the hits “Let’s Get Drunk and Truck” and “Gimme Some of That Yum Yum”. Their most recognized track, “The Weed Smoker’s Dream” (1936), which was later reworked with new lyrics as “Why Don’t You Do Right?”. The song was later covered by Peggy Lee and Benny Goodman. As the 1930s came to a close, the Harlem Hamfats’ music fell out of style and the band split up by 1938. They are now acknowledged as an early precursor to rhythm and blues and rock n’ roll. Many of their original recordings have been collected on various compilations including Let’s Get Drunk and Truck (2004).
