Buddy Christian
Narcisse J. "Buddy" Christian (1895? - 1958?) was an American jazz banjoist, guitarist, and pianist. Christian worked professionally as a pianist starting in the early 1910s. He played in New Orleans with Peter Bocage in 1912-1913 and with King Oliver at Lala's Cafe in the middle of the decade. Around 1920 he moved to New York City, where he began playing banjo in addition to piano. He played with Lucille Hegamin, June Clark, and the Red Onion Jazz Babies, and played in the studio on Clarence Williams's sessions, including Eva Taylor and the Blue Five (with Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet). He can also be heard on Bessie Smith recordings made in 1923. In 1926, he recorded under his own name, and continued working as a session musician for recordings with Charles Matson, New Orleans Willie Jackson, and blues musicians. He and Fred Jennings played in a banjo duo in 1929. After 1930 Christian left active performance. |
Birth and Death Data: Born July 21, 1885 (New Orleans), Died 1958 (New Orleans)
Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1923 - 1928
Roles Represented in DAHR: banjo, leader, songwriter, guitar, composer
Notes: Given name: Narcisse Joseph Christian.
= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.
Recordings
Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Victor | BVE-36069 | 10-in. | 8/27/1926 | Goin' crazy with the blues | Mamie Smith | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Victor | BVE-36081 | 10-in. | 8/31/1926 | What have you done to make me feel this way | Mamie Smith | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Victor | BVE-36895 | 10-in. | 11/2/1926 | My baby doesn't squawk | New Orleans Blue Five | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, guitar | |
Victor | BVE-36896 | 10-in. | 11/2/1926 | The king of the Zulus | New Orleans Blue Five | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, guitar | |
Victor | BVE-36897 | 10-in. | 11/2/1926 | South Rampart Street blues | New Orleans Blue Five | Jazz/dance band | composer, instrumentalist, guitar | |
Victor | BVE-36925 | 10-in. | 11/12/1926 | Blues from the Everglades | Morris' Hot Babies | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Victor | BVE-36926 | 10-in. | 11/12/1926 | P. D. Q. blues | Thomas Morris ; Morris' Hot Babies | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Victor | BVE-36962 | 10-in. | 11/24/1926 | The mess | Thomas Morris ; Morris' Hot Babies | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Victor | BVE-36963 | 10-in. | 11/24/1926 | The chinch | Thomas Morris ; Morris' Hot Babies | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Victor | BVE-37572 | 10-in. | 1/26/1927 | Moaning sinner | Monette Moore | Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble | songwriter | |
Columbia | 80953 | 10-in. | 4/11/1923 | Oh daddy blues | Bessie Smith ; Clarence Williams | Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano (takes 1-3); with clarinet, banjo, and piano (takes 4 and 5) | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Columbia | W140859 | 10-in. | 8/20/1925 | My two timing papa | Clara Smith | Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with clarinet, banjo, and piano | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Columbia | W140860 | 10-in. | 8/20/1925 | Kitchen mechanic blues | Clara Smith | Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with clarinet, banjo, and piano | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Columbia | W141046 | 10-in. | 9/25/1925 | Alley rat blues | Clara Smith | Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Columbia | W141047 | 10-in. | 9/25/1925 | When my sugar walks down the street | Clara Smith | Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Columbia | W141048 | 10-in. | 9/25/1925 | You never miss your water | Clara Smith | Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Columbia | W141049 | 10-in. | 9/25/1925 | Disappointed blues | Clara Smith | Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Columbia | W142588 | 10-in. | 9/3/1926 | Who'll chop your suey when I'm gone | Buddy Christian ; Willie Jackson | Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with banjo | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Columbia | W142589 | 10-in. | 9/3/1926 | Numbers on the brain | Buddy Christian ; Willie Jackson | Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with banjo | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Columbia | W142707 | 10-in. | 9/30/1926 | Tain't what you pay to get a thing | Willie Jackson | Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with banjo and piano | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Columbia | W142708 | 10-in. | 9/30/1926 | Railroad man blues | Willie Jackson | Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with banjo and piano | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Columbia | W142852 | 10-in. | 10/21/1926 | Dark eyes | Dixie Washboard Band ; Shufflin' Sam | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | songwriter | |
Columbia | W142853 | 10-in. | 10/21/1926 | Gimme blues | Dixie Washboard Band ; Shufflin' Sam | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | songwriter | |
Columbia | W144538 | 10-in. | 8/9/1927 | Hobo Bill | Martha Copeland | Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with banjo and piano | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Columbia | W144539 | 10-in. | 8/9/1927 | Nobody rocks me like my baby do | Martha Copeland | Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with banjo and piano | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Columbia | W145560 | 10-in. | 1/21/1928 | Kansas City blues | Willie Jackson | Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with guitar and piano | instrumentalist, guitar | |
Columbia | W145561 | 10-in. | 1/21/1928 | T. B. blues | Willie Jackson | Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with guitar and piano | instrumentalist, guitar | |
OKeh | S-71306 | 10-in. | February 1923 | E flat blues no. 2 | Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-71307 | 10-in. | February 1923 | Original Charleston strut | Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-71531 | 10-in. | May 1923 | Lonesome journey blues | Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-71532 | 10-in. | May 1923 | When the jazz band starts to play | Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-71582 | 10-in. | June 1923 | Just blues that's all | Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-71583 | 10-in. | June 1923 | The bull blues (E flat no. 1 blues) | Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-71739 | 10-in. | August 1923 | Those blues | Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-71740 | 10-in. | August 1923 | Beaucoup de jazz | Thomas Morris Past Jazz Masters | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-71910 | 10-in. | September 1923 | Irresistible blues | Eva Taylor | Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-71911 | 10-in. | September 1923 | Jazzin' babies blues | Clarence Williams’ Trio ; Eva Taylor | Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-71928 | 10-in. | October 1923 | Tain't nobody's business if I do | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-71929 | 10-in. | October 1923 | New Orleans hop scop blues | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-71930 | 10-in. | October 1923 | Oh daddy! blues | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-71945 | 10-in. | October 1923 | Down on the levee blues | Rosetta Crawford | Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-71946 | 10-in. | October 1923 | Lonesome woman blues | Rosetta Crawford | Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-71961 | 10-in. | 10/11/1923 | Graveyard dream blues | Clarence Williams' Harmonizing Four ; Sara Martin | Female vocal solo, with instrumental quartet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-71962 | 10-in. | 10/11/1923 | A green gal can't catch on | Clarence Williams' Harmonizing Four ; Sara Martin | Female vocal solo, with instrumental quartet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-71972 | 10-in. | 10/19/1923 | If I let you get away with it once, you'll do it all of the time | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Margaret Johnson | Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-71973 | 10-in. | 10/19/1923 | E flat blues | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Margaret Johnson | Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-72857 | 10-in. | Sept. 1924 | Things done got too thick | Sara Martin | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-72858 | 10-in. | Sept. 1924 | Eagle Rock me, papa | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sara Martin | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-72897 | 10-in. | Oct. 1924 | I can always tell when my man don't want me 'round | Laura Smith | Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-72898 | 10-in. | Oct. 1924 | Lake Ponchartrain blues | Laura Smith | Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-72899 | 10-in. | Oct. 1924 | Gravier Street blues | Laura Smith | Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-72912 | 10-in. | Oct. 1924 | Terrible blues | Eva Taylor ; Clarence Williams | Female-male vocal duet, with cornet and banjo | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-72913 | 10-in. | Oct. 1924 | Arkansaw blues | Eva Taylor ; Clarence Williams | Female-male vocal duet, with cornet and banjo | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-72915 | 10-in. | 10/17/1924 | Early in the morning | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Virginia Liston | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-72916 | 10-in. | 10/17/1924 | You've got the right key, but the wrong keyhole | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Virginia Liston | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-72958 | 10-in. | 11/6/1924 | Of all the wrongs you done to me | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor | Jazz/dance quintet, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-72959 | 10-in. | 11/6/1924 | Everybody loves my baby (But my baby don't love nobody but me) | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor | Jazz/dance quintet, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-72996 | 10-in. | 11/25/1924 | Papa, Mama's all alone blues | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Margaret Johnson | Female vocal solo, with instrumental quartet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-72997 | 10-in. | 11/25/1924 | Changeable daddy of mine | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Margaret Johnson | Female vocal solo, with instrumental quartet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-73007 | 10-in. | 11/28/1924 | Baby, I can't use you no more | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sippie Wallace | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-73008 | 10-in. | 11/28/1924 | Trouble everywhere I roam | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sippie Wallace | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-73014 | 10-in. | 12/2/1924 | I'm so glad I'm brownskin | Clarence Williams’ Trio ; Sippie Wallace | Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-73015 | 10-in. | 12/2/1924 | Off and on blues | Clarence Williams’ Trio ; Sippie Wallace | Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-73018 | 10-in. | 12/3/1924 | He's the cause of me being blue | Clarence Williams’ Trio ; Sippie Wallace | Female vocal solo, with banjo and piano | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-73019 | 10-in. | 12/3/1924 | Let my man alone blues | Clarence Williams’ Trio ; Sippie Wallace | Female vocal solo, with banjo and piano | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-73026 | 10-in. | 12/17/1924 | Mandy, make up your mind | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor | Jazz/dance quintet, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-73027 | 10-in. | 12/17/1924 | I'm a little blackbird looking for a bluebird | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor | Jazz/dance quartet, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-73081 | 10-in. | 1/8/1925 | Who'll chop your suey (When I'm gone) | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Margaret Johnson | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-73082 | 10-in. | 1/8/1925 | Done made a fool out of me | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Margaret Johnson | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-73083 | 10-in. | 1/8/1925 | Cake walking babies from home | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor | Jazz/dance quintet, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-73084 | 10-in. | 1/8/1925 | Pickin' on your baby | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-73204 | 10-in. | 3/4/1925 | Cast away | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | S-73205 | 10-in. | 3/4/1925 | Papa de-da-da | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor | Jazz/dance ensemble, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 73524 | 10-in. | July 1925 | Far as I'm concerned | Eva Taylor | Female vocal solo, with banjo and piano | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 73525 | 10-in. | July 1925 | Get off my money blues | Buddy Christian ; Eva Taylor ; Clarence Williams | Female vocal solo, with banjo and piano | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 73574 | 10-in. | Aug. 1925 | I am leaving you | Sippie Wallace | Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 73575 | 10-in. | Aug. 1925 | I'm sorry for it now | Sippie Wallace | Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 73576 | 10-in. | Aug. 1925 | Suitcase blues | Sippie Wallace | Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 73577 | 10-in. | Aug. 1925 | I must have it | Sippie Wallace | Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 73686 | 10-in. | 10/6/1925 | Just wait 'til you see my baby do the Charleston | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor | Jazz/dance sextet, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 73687 | 10-in. | 10/6/1925 | Living high (Sometimes) | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor | Jazz/dance sextet, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 73694 | 10-in. | 10/8/1925 | Coal cart blues | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor | Instrumental sextet, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 73695 | 10-in. | 10/8/1925 | Santa Claus blues | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor | Instrumental sextet, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 73721 | 10-in. | 10/16/1925 | Santa Claus blues | Clarence Williams’ Trio | Female vocal solo, with male vocal duet and instrumental trio | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 73738 | 10-in. | 10/26/1925 | Squeeze me | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Eva Taylor | Instrumental sextet, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 73739 | 10-in. | 10/26/1925 | You can't shush Katie (The gabbiest girl in town) | Eva Taylor | Female vocal solo, with instrumental sextet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 73906 | 10-in. | Jan. 1926 | Oh me! Oh my! blues | Mary Mack | Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 73907 | 10-in. | Jan. 1926 | You gotta quit your low down ways | Billy Mack ; Mary Mack | Female-male vocal duet, with jazz/dance trio | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 73908 | 10-in. | Jan. 1926 | Fetch it when you come | Billy Mack ; Mary Mack | Female-male vocal duet, with instrumental trio | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 73909 | 10-in. | Jan. 1926 | How could my good man turn his back on me now | Clarence Williams’ Trio ; Mary Mack | Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 73911 | 10-in. | Jan. 1926 | You don't want much | Clarence Williams’ Trio ; Billy Mack ; Mary Mack | Female-male vocal duet, with instrumental trio | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 74057 | 10-in. | Mar. 1926 | Sunset blues | Buddy Christian's Creole Five ; Louise Vant | Jazz/dance ensemble, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, banjo, leader, songwriter | |
OKeh | 74058 | 10-in. | Mar. 1926 | Texas mule stomp | Buddy Christian's Creole Five ; Louise Vant | Jazz/dance ensemble, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, banjo, leader, songwriter | |
OKeh | 74059 | 10-in. | Mar. 1926 | Sugar house stomp | Buddy Christian's Creole Five | Jazz/dance ensemble | instrumentalist, banjo, composer, leader | |
OKeh | 74066 | 10-in. | 3/24/1926 | What's the matter now? | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sara Martin | Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 74067 | 10-in. | 3/24/1926 | I want every bit of it—I don't like it second hand | Clarence Williams’ Blue Five ; Sara Martin | Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 74072 | 10-in. | 3/25/1926 | Brother Ben | Sara Martin | Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 74073 | 10-in. | 3/25/1926 | The prisoner's blues | Sara Martin | Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 74074 | 10-in. | 3/25/1926 | Careless man blues | Sara Martin | Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 74075 | 10-in. | 3/25/1926 | How could I be blue | Sara Martin | Female vocal solo, with instrumental quintet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 80034 | 10-in. | 5/13/1926 | Nina Lee | Buddy Christian's Four Cry-Babies | Male vocal quartet, with banjo and piano | leader, instrumentalist, banjo | |
OKeh | 80035 | 10-in. | 5/13/1926 | Jonah's ridin' on his mule | Buddy Christian's Four Cry-Babies | Male vocal quartet, with banjo and piano | instrumentalist, banjo, leader | |
OKeh | 80039 | 10-in. | 5/26/1926 | Jonah's riding on his mule | Buddy Christian's Four Cry-Babies | Vocal quartet, with banjo and piano | leader | |
OKeh | 80040 | 10-in. | 5/26/1926 | Nina Lee | Buddy Christian's Four Cry-Babies | Vocal quartet | leader, composer | |
Brunswick | 12078-12081 | 10-in. | 12/11/1923 | Gimme blues | Ray Miller Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | songwriter | |
Gennett | 9177 | 10-in. | 11/8/1924 | Of all the wrongs you've done to me | Red Onion Jazz Babies | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Gennett | 9206 | 10-in. | 11/26/1924 | Terrible blues | Red Onion Jazz Babies | Jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Gennett | 9207 | 10-in. | 11/26/1924 | Santa Claus blues | Red Onion Jazz Babies | Jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Gennett | 9246 | 10-in. | 12/23/1924 | Nobody knows the way I feel dis mornin' | Josephine Beatty ; Red Onion Jazz Babies | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Gennett | 9247 | 10-in. | 12/23/1924 | Early every morn | Alberta Hunter ; Red Onion Jazz Babies | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, banjo | |
Gennett | 9248 | 10-in. | 12/23/1924 | Cake walking babies (From home) | Red Onion Jazz Babies | Jazz/dance band, with female-male vocal duet | instrumentalist, banjo |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Christian, Buddy," accessed July 6, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/111966.
Christian, Buddy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved July 6, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/111966.
"Christian, Buddy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 6 July 2024.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Christian, Buddy, approximately 1895-approximately 1958 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2002115795
Wikidata: Buddy Christian - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q2927519
VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/66653860
MusicBrainz: Buddy Christian - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/38d51e08-67ff-4274-889f-6bd32da9e13b
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