Dewy Jackson’s Peacock Orchestra is one of the few bands on record which actually played on the riverboats which carried Jazz up the Mississippi from its breeding ground in New Orleans. These riverboats, which originally served purely as transport vehicles, gradually became showboats which provided a band for pleasure seekers who went on board for a good time, on the way dancing and drinking, eventually providing a more sophisticated type of Jazz for the White patrons.

Dewy Jackson’s Orchestra was engaged by S.S. Capitol during the 1925-6 season, and the title “Capitol Blues” is a good illustration of the type of Jazz which was played then, mainly by St. Louis musicians – with the exception of Pops Foster.

Taken from the book Recorded Jazz: A Critical Guide by Rex Harris and Brian Rust.

Title	Recording Date	Recording Location	Company
Capitol Blues (Dewy Jackson / J.J. Johnson)	6-21-26	St. Louis, Missouri	Vocalion 1040
Go ‘Won To Town (Dewy Jackson)	6-21-26	St. Louis, Missouri	Vocalion 1039
She’s Crying For Me (Santo Pecora)	6-21-26	St. Louis, Missouri	Vocalion 1040
What Do You Want Poor Me To Do? (Floyd Campbell)	6-21-26	St. Louis, Missouri	Vocalion 1039

Artist	Instrument
William Thorton Blue	Clarinet, Alto Saxophone
Floyd Campbell	Drums, Vocals
Cliff Cochran	Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone
Pops Foster	Bass
Willie Humphrey	Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone
Dewy Jackson	Cornet, Director
Burroughs Lovingood	Piano
William Luper	Trombone
Pete Robinson	Banjo
Albert Snaer	Trumpet