Lester Melrose
Lester Melrose (born December 14, 1891 , † April 1968 ) was an American talent scout, one of the first blues producers and publishers.
Melrose was running a record store in Chicago with his brother when he met Jelly Roll Morton in 1923 . Melrose sold his stake in the store and became a record producer ( A&R manager). His first big hit was It's Tight Like That with Tampa Red and Georgia Tom .
In the 1930s, Melrose worked simultaneously for various record companies, including RCA Victor , Bluebird Records , Columbia Records and Okeh Records . The artists he supervised included Joe "King" Oliver , Big Bill Broonzy , Sonny Boy Williamson I. , Memphis Minnie , Roosevelt Sykes , Lonnie Johnson , Big Joe Williams , Bukka White , Washboard Sam , Champion Jack Dupree , Jazz Gillum , Big Boy Crudup , Victoria Spivey and Leroy Carr .
Melrose is considered to be one of the founders of the Chicago Blues , although he preferred acoustic music to electrically amplified music. Most of the recordings he produced had a similar sound. Muddy Waters , who had been rejected by Melrose, called this sound "Sweet Jazz". Before World War II, the "Melrose Sound" dominated the Chicago blues. After the war, a rougher and tougher blues became more popular and ended Melrose's success.
As was common at the time (not only in the blues), Melrose often let himself be the author of his musicians' songs and only paid the artists once for the recording. But he showed great energy and sure instinct and produced some fundamental blues recordings. His name remains associated with the Reefer Head Blues , recorded by Jazz Gillum and Aerosmith , with Me and My Chauffeur , recorded by Memphis Minnie and Jefferson Airplane , and with three pieces by Big Boy Crudup , which Elvis Presley made hits.
Lester Melrose was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame for his services .
His brother Walter Melrose was a music publisher and wrote several hits for the Original Dixieland Jass Band in the 1950s, including High Society and Tin Roof Blues .
Another brother, Franklyn Melrose (born November 26, 1907 , † September 1941 ) was a jazz pianist who appeared as St. Louis Frank . He died in a shootout.
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| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Melrose, Lester |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American blues producer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | December 14, 1891 |
| DATE OF DEATH | April 1968 |