Roaring 1920s: Markel's Dance Orchestra & Vaughn De Leath - Wistful And Blue, 1926

Markel’s Orchestra – Wistful And Blue, Fox-Trot (Ruth Etting – Julian Davidson) with Vocal chorus (by Vaughn De Leath), Edison Record 1926 (USA) NOTE: Little is known about Mike MARKEL's band, although he left behind a significant number of recordings released by various labels (including Edison, Parlophone, Okeh, and Brunswick). The orchestra was highly active in the jazz-dance recording scene during the height of the Roaring Twenties in America. Prominent musicians such as Red Nichols (trumpet), Miff Mole (trombone), and Jimmy Johnston (saxophone) collaborated with Markel’s band at various times. A remarkable figure featured in this recording is singer VAUGHN DE LEATH (b. 1894 in Mount Pulaski, Illinois; d. 1943 in Buffalo, New York). She rose to fame as one of the first true radio singing stars during the early Radio days, earning the name "The First Lady of Radio." Despite this, De Leath is little known today. Who knows that one of her hits—"Are You Lonesome Tonight?" (recorded in 1927)—became so famous that years later, in 1960, Elvis Presley recorded his own version, turning it into a timeless classic. Her career declined in the 1930s due to alcohol problems, which contributed to her premature death at the age of 48.