Andy Preer’s Cotton Club Orchestra was billed that way to promote Preer’s regular place of work. Actually, the group was the Missourians, who later teamed up with Cab Calloway at the Cotton Club and ultimately became Cab’s band.

It was Preer’s death in 1927 which caused the Cotton Club to seek a replacement band. King Oliver turned down an offer and the plum engagement went to Duke Ellington. The Missourians were deliberately “country” and tried not to take on the sophisticated Harlem ways. But there were excellent musicians on board.

Reedman Andy Brown later became a leading music teacher in New York City. The interesting sax section work on I’ve Found A New Baby seems to have an innovative tenor lead at one point. It may be the arranging work of Davey Jones, a talented multi-instumentalist and composer.

by Richard B. Hadlock (from the liner notes of Harlem Big Bands on Timeless Records)

If you would like to order the Timeless Records’ CD of Harlem Big Bands you can do so direct from Timeless Records.

Title	Recording Date	Recording Location	Company
I’ve Found A New Baby (Jack Palmer / Spencer Williams)	2-3-1927	New York, New York	Gennett 6056 Champion 15227 GEX-513

Artist	Instrument
Andrew Brown	Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone
R.Q. Dickerson	Trumpet
Davey Jones	Clarinet, Alto Saxophone
Leroy Maxey	Drums
Earres Prince	Piano
Andy Preer	Director
George Scott	Clarinet, Alto Saxophone
Jimmy Smith	Tuba
Charley Stamps	Banjo
Lamar Wright	Trumpet
DePriest Wheeler	Trombone