The Coon Sanders Nighthawks Orchestra was formed in 1919 and was at its peak between 1926 and 1932. The Orchestra was assembled by Carleton Coon and Joe Sanders in Kansas City. Coon was born in Rochester, Minnesota in 1893 and his family moved to Missouri shortly after his birth and eventually moved to Kansas City while he was an infant. Sanders was born in Kansas in 1896. Sanders was known as “The Old Left Hander” because of his skills at baseball. He gave the game up in the early ’20s to make dance music his career.The Orchestra was a pioneer in broadcasting their music over WDAF Radio from the Muehlbach Hotel at 1213 Wyandotte Street in Kansas City, Missouri. The broadcasts were in the early morning and the Nighthawks Club was formed for fans of the great music being broadcast. Fans were encouraged to send in requests for songs by letter, telephone or telegram. That move became so popular that Western Union set up a ticker tape between Sanders’ piano and Coon’s drums so the telegrams could be acknowledged during the broadcasts.
The group left Kansas City for the first time in 1924 for a three month engagement in a roadhouse in Chicago. They moved into the Blackhawk Hotel (139 North Wabash) in Chicago in 1926. The members of the Orchestra at that time were Joe Richolson and Bob Pope, trumpets; Rex Downing, trombone; Harold Thiell, Joe Thiell and Floyd Estep, saxophones; Joe Sanders, piano; Russ Stout, banjo and guitar; “Pop” Estep, tuba; Carelton Coon, drums. In the following years, the Nighthawks performed at the Blackhawk every winter, broadcasting over the powerful WGN Radio station. Their reputation spread from coast to coast through the broadcasts and the many records they made for Victor. They undertook very successful road tours.
At their peak, each member of the Orchestra owned identical Cord Automobiles, each in a different color with the name of the Orchestra and the owner embossed on the rear. The Orchestra’s popularity showed no signs of abating and their contract with MCA had another 15 years to run in the spring of 1932 when disaster struck. Carelton Coon came down with a jaw infection and, on May 4, 1932, at 38 years of age, he passed away.
Joe Sanders attempted to keep the organization going, however, without Coon, the public did not support them. In 1935, he formed his own group and played until the early ’40s when he became a part time orchestra leader and studio musician. In his later years he suffered from failing eyesight and other health problems. He passed away in 1965 after suffering a stroke.
The Kansas City Public Library acquired the great scrapbooks and other memorabilia collected and prepared by Joe Sanders and the information is available to researchers.
Some of their most popular hits were “Wabash Blues“, “After You’ve Gone“, “Alone in the Rain“, “Alone at Last,” and the ever popular, Here Comes My Ball And Chain“.—by Dale Jones
| Title | Recording Date | Recording Location | Company |
| After You’ve Gone (Henry Creamer / J. Turner Layton) | 12-6-1929 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 22342-B |
| Alone At Last Vocal refrain by J.L. Sanders (Gus Kahn / Ted Fiorito) | 7-13-1925 | Camden, New Jersey | Victor 19728-A |
| Alone In The Rain (From Pathe picture “The Grand Parade”) Vocal refrain J.L. Sanders (Edmund Goulding / Dan Dougherty) | 12-6-1929 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 22262-B |
| Blazin’ (Joe Sanders) | 6-27-1928 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 21680-B |
| Bless You Sister (J. Russel Robinson / Al Dubin) | 12-12-1928 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 21895-B |
| Brainstorm (Joe Sanders) | 12-8-1926 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 20390-B |
| Deep Henderson (Fred Rose) | 3-9-1926 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 20081-A |
| Down Where The Sun Goes Down Vocal refrain by Joe Sanders (Isham Jones / Verne Buck) | 6-29-1928 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 21546-B |
| Dreaming Of To-morrow Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon and J.L. Sanders (Joe Sanders) | 7-27-1925 | Camden, New Jersey | Victor 19804-A |
| Everything Is Hotsy Totsy Now Vocal refrain by J.L. Sanders (Jimmy McHugh / Dorothy Fields / Irving Mills) | 8-7-1925 | Camden, New Jersey | Victor 19750-A |
| Everything’s Gonna Be Alright Vocal refrain by J.L. Sanders (Benny Davis / Harry Akst) | 3-9-1926 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 20003-B |
| Flamin’ Mamie Vocal refrain by J.L. Sanders (Fred Rose / Paul Whiteman) | 12-21-1925 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 19922-B |
| Gotta Great Big Date With A Little Bitty Girl Vocal refrain by Joe Sanders (Joe Sanders) | 7-26-1929 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 22123-A |
| Hallucinations (Joe Sanders) | 12-14-1927 | Kansas City, Missouri | Victor 21397-A |
| Harlem Madness (From Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer picture “They Learned About Women”) Vocal refrain by Joe Sanders (Jack Yellen / Milton Ager) | 11-18-1929 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 22300-B |
| Here Comes My Ball and Chain (1) (J. Fred Coots / Lou Davis) | 11-27-1928 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 21812-B |
| Here Comes My Ball and Chain (3) Vocal refrain by J.L. Sanders (J. Fred Coots / Lou Davis) | 11-27-1928 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 21812-B |
| High Fever (Joe Sanders) | 12-8-1926 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 20461 |
| Hong Kong Dream Girl (George E. Springer / Harry Barris) | 8-7-1925 | Camden, New Jersey | Victor 19754-B |
| I Ain’t Got Nobody Vocal refrain by Carleton Coon – Joe Sanders (Roger Graham / Spencer Williams) | 12-25-1927 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 20875-A |
| I Can’t Realise (You Love Me) Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon and J.L. Sanders) | 7-27-1925 | Camden, New Jersey | Victor 19852-B |
| I Know You’re Lying (But I Love It!) Vocal refrain by J.L. Sanders (Dave Oppenheim / Sam H. Stept) | 3-24-1932 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 22969-B |
| (I’m Just Wild About Everything) And Especially You Vocal refrain by Joe Sanders (Abner Silver / Al Sherman / Al Lewis) | 7-24-1929 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 22077-A |
| Indian Cradle Song Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon (Mabel Wayne / Gus Kahn) | 5-29-1928 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 21562-A |
| I Need Lovin’ Vocal refrain by J.L. Sanders (James P. Johnson / Henry Creamer) | 12-17-1926 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 20408-B |
| I Want To Go Home Vocal refrain by Joe Sanders (Joe Sanders) | 3-24-1932 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 22972-B |
| I’m Gonna Charleston Back To Charleston Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon and J.L. Sanders (Roy Turk / Lou Handman) | 6-13-1925 | Camden, New Jersey | Victor 19727-B |
| Is She My Girl Friend? Vocal refrain by J.L. Sanders (Jack Yellen / Milton Ager) | 12-14-1927 | Kansas City, Missouri | Victor 21148-B |
| Kansas City Kitty Vocal refrain by J.L. Sanders (Walter Donaldson / Edgar Leslie) | 2-23-1929 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 21939-A |
| Keepin’ Out Of Mischief Now Vocal refrain by J.L. Sanders (Fats Waller / Andy Razaf) | 3-24-1932 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 22969-A |
| Lazy Waters Vocal refrain by Carleton Coon (Gus Kahn / Joe Sanders) | 11-9-1924 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 19522-B |
| Let That Be a Lesson To You (Isham Jones) | 3-9-1932 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 22950-B |
| (Listen To The) Rhythm King (Jo Trent / Joe Hoover) | 12-12-1928 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 21891-B |
| Little Orphan Annie Vocal refrain by J.L. Sanders (Joe Sanders) | 12-3-1928 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 21895-A |
| Lo and Behold | 3-9-1932 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 22951-B |
| Louder and Funnier (Joe L. Sanders) | 12-13-1927 | Kansas City, Missouri | Victor V-38083-A |
| Louise, You Tease | 12-21-1925 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 19958 |
| Mine – All Mine Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon and J.L. Sanders (Ruby / Cowan / Stept) | 12-13-1927 | Kansas City, Missouri | Victor 21148-A |
| Mississippi, Here I Am Vocal refrain by J.L. Sanders and C.A. Coon (Arthur Sizemore / Bernie Grossman ) | 2-12-1929 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 21891-A |
| Moanin’ For You | 11-18-1929 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 22278 |
| Moonlight and You Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon and J.L. Sanders (Sizemore / Russo / Alden) | 11-9-1924 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 19525-A |
| Moon Dear (Klein) | 12-21-1925 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 19979 |
| My Baby Knows How Vocal refrain by J.L. Sanders (Benny Davis / Harry Akst / Harry Richmond) | 12-8-1926 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 20390-A |
| My Daddy’s Dream Time Lullaby Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon and J.L. Sanders (Lou Herscher / George Keefer) | 4-7-1924 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 19325-B |
| My Suppressed Desire (From F.B.O. Picture, “Gang War”) Vocal refrain by Carleton Coon (Cohen / Miller) | 11-20-1928 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 21803-A |
| Night Hawk Blues Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon and J.L. Sanders (Joe L. Sanders) | 4-5-1924 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 19316-A |
| Oh! You Have No Idea Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon and J.L. Sanders (Phil Ponce / Dan Dougherty) | 5-29-1928 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 21501-B |
| On Revival Day (Andy Razaf) | 3-24-1932 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 22929 |
| Oriental Love Dreams Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon and J.L. Sanders (Harry D. Kerr / Burnett / Miller) | 4-6-1924 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 19325-A |
| Ready For The River Vocal refrain by J.L. Sanders (Gus Kahn / Neil Moret) | 5-29-1928 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 21501-A |
| Red Hot Mama Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon and J.L. Sanders (G. Wells / Bud Cooper / Fred Rose) | 4-6-1924 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 19316-B |
| Roodles (Joe Sanders) | 12-25-1927 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 20875-B |
| ‘Round My Heart Vocal refrain by Joe Sanders (Joe Young / Carmen Lombardo) | 3-24-1932 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 22972-A |
| Show Me The Way Vocal refrain by Joe Sanders (Ted Lewis / Frank Ross / Benny Davis ) | 11-16-1924 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 19525-B |
| Sing a New Song Vocal refrain by J.L. Sanders (Ned Weaver / Milton Ager) | 3-9-1932 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 22951-A |
| Sittin’ Around Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon (Joe Sanders / Gus Kahn) | 3-9-1926 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 20015-A |
| Sluefoot Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon and J.L. Sanders (Joe Sanders / Neil Moret) | 12-13-1927 | Kansas City, Missouri | Victor 21305-A |
| Smilin’ Skies (1) (Milton Samuels / Charley Straight / Walter Hirsch) | 11-27-1928 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor V-38083-B |
| Smilin’ Skies (3) (Milton Samuels / Charles T. Straight / Walter Hirsch) | 11-27-1928 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor unreleased |
| Some Little Bird (Gillespie / McPhail / Van Alstyne) | 3-21-1921 | Chicago, Illinois | Columbia A3403 |
| Some Of These Days Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon and J.L. Sanders (Shelton Brooks) | 11-13-1924 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 19600-B |
| Stay Out Of The South! (If You Want To Miss A Heaven On Earth) Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon and J.L. Sanders (Harold Dixon) | 12-14-1927 | Kansas City, Missouri | Victor 21358-B |
| Sweepin’ The Clouds Away (From the Paramount picture, “Paramount on Parade”) Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon and J.L. Sanders (Sam Coslow) | 12-6-1929 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 22346-A |
| Tennessee Lazy (Carleton Coon / Joe Sanders) | 2-12-1929 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 21939-B |
| That’s All There Is Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon (Harry M. Woods) | 8-7-1925 | Camden, New Jersey | Victor 19750-B |
| The Darktown Strutters Ball Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon (Shelton Brooks) | 12-12-1929 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 22342-A |
| The Flippity Flop (From the Paramount picture, “The Dance of Life”) Vocal refrain by Joe Sanders (Sam Coslow / Leo Robin / Richard A. Whiting) | 7-26-1929 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 22089-B |
| The Wail (Joe L. Sanders) | 12-14-1927 | Kansas City, Missouri | Victor 21305-B |
| There’s No One Just Like You Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon and J.L. Sanders (Joe L. Sanders) | 4-6-1924 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 19357-A |
| Too Busy! Vocal refrain by Carleton Coon (Chester Cohn / Ned Miller) | 6-27-1928 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 21546-A |
| Wabash Blues Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon and J.L. Sanders (Dave Ringle / Fred Meinken) | 12-13-1927 | Kansas City, Missouri | Victor LPV-511 |
| We Love Us Vocal refrain by Joe L. Sanders (Joe L. Sanders / Lee Moore) | 11-29-1929 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 22304-A |
| What a Girl! What a Night! (1) (Joe Sanders) | 11-20-1928 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor unreleased |
| What a Girl! What a Night! (3) Vocal refrain by Joe Sanders (Joe Sanders) | 11-20-1928 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 21803-B |
| What a Life! (Trying To Live Without You) Vocal refrain by J.L. Sanders (Charlotte Kent / Louis Alter) | 3-9-1932 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 22950-A |
| When You’re Smiling (Fisher / Goodwin / Shay) | 1928 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor |
| Who Wouldn’t Be Jealous Of You? Vocal refrain by J.L. Sanders (Larry Shay / Haven Gillespie / George Frommel) | 11-27-1928 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 21812-A |
| Who Wouldn’t Love You? | 8-7-1925 | Camden, New Jersey | Victor 19754-A |
| Why Don’t My Dreams Come True Vocal refrain by C.A. Coon and J.L. Sanders (John Flood / George E. Patton) | 4-7-1924 | Chicago, Illinois | Victor 19357-B |
| Yes Sir, That’s My Baby (Gus Kahn / Walter Donaldson ) | 7-27-1925 | Camden, New Jersey | Victor 19745-A |
| Artist | Instrument |
| Dewey Birge | Banjo, Guitar |
| Carelton Coon | Drums, Vocals |
| Rex Downing | Trombone |
| Eddie Edwards | Tuba |
| Floyd Estep | Saxophone |
| Pop Estep | Tuba |
| Bill Haid | Banjo |
| Clyde Hendrick | Trumpet |
| Elmer Krebs | Tuba |
| John Jarman | Mellotron |
| Hal McLean | Clarinet |
| Nick Mussolini | Trombone |
| Carl Norberg | Trombone |
| Bob Norfleet | Trombone |
| Bob Pope | Trumpet |
| Joe Richardson | Trumpet |
| Joe Sanders | Piano, Vocals |
| Harry Silverstone | Violin |
| Russ Stout | Banjo, Guitar |
| John Thiell | Saxophone |
| Harold Thiell | Saxophone |
| Joe Richolson | Trumpet |
| The Coon-Sanders Nighthawks: “The Band That Made Radio Famous” by Fred W. Edmiston, McFarland & Company, 2003 |
