In July of 1930 Louis Armstrong moved to California and “fronted” the Les Hite’s Orchestra. It was renamed Louis Armstrong’s Sebastian New Cotton Club Orchestra, after a club on Washington Blvd. in Culver City, California where the band played. Armstrong’s engagement there was a great success and he stayed at the nightclub until March of 1931.
While in California, Louis and drummer Vic Berton, and Frank Driggs were busted by undercover cops for smoking a marijuana cigarette in the parking lot of the club. Louis spent nine days in jail for this misdemeanor. The band also featured a young Lionel Hampton on drums and vibes. “If I Could Be With You” is one of Armstrong’s greatest recordings, his vocals and trumpet playing are truly touching. Songs like this make it easy to understand why Louis Armstrong is considered to be one of the world’s most beloved artists.
| Title | Recording Date | Recording Location | Company |
| Body And Soul (From “Three’s A Crowd”) (Edward Heyman / John Green / Rob Sour) | 10-9-1930 | Los Angeles, California | Okeh 41468 |
| CONFESSIN’ That I Love You (Al Neiburg / Doc Dougherty / Ellis Reynolds) | 8-19-1930 | Los Angeles, California | Okeh 41448 |
| If I Could Be With You (One Hour To-Night) (Henry Creamer / James P. Johnson) | 8-19-1930 | Los Angeles, California | Okeh 41448 |
| I’m A Ding Dong Daddy (From Dumas) (Phil Baxter) | 7-21-1930 | Los Angeles, California | Okeh 41442 |
| I’m In The Market For You (From Motion Picture “High Society Blues”) (Hanley / McCarthy) | 7-21-1930 | Los Angeles, California | Okeh 41442 |
| Just A Gigolo (Leonello Casucci / Irving Caesar) | 3-9-1931 | Los Angeles, California | Okeh 41486 |
| Memories Of You (From “Lew Leslie’s Blackbirds of 1930”) (Eubie Blake / Andy Razaf) | 10-16-1930 | Los Angeles, California | Okeh 41463 |
| Shine (Ford Dabney / Lew Brown / Cecil Mack) | 3-9-1931 | Los Angeles, California | Okeh 41486 |
| Sweethearts On Parade (Carmen Lombardo / Charles Newman) | 12-23-1930 | Los Angeles, California | Vocalion 3337 |
| The Peanut Vendor (Moisés Simons) | 12-23-1930 | Los Angeles, California | Okeh 41478 |
| You’re Lucky To Me (From “Lew Lesilie’s Blackbirds of 1930”) (Eubie Blake / Andy Razaf) | 10-16-1930 | Los Angeles, California | Okeh 41463 |
| You’re Driving Me Crazy (What Did I Do?) (Walter Donaldson) | 12-23-1930 | Los Angeles, California | Okeh 41478 |
| Artist | Instrument |
| Louis Armstrong | Trumpet, Vocals |
| Joe Bailey | Tuba, Bass |
| Lawrence Brown | Trombone |
| Harvey Brooks | Piano |
| Ceele Burke | Banjo, Guitar |
| Leon Elkins | Trumpet |
| William Franz | Tenor Saxophone |
| Luther Graven | Trombone |
| Lionel Hampton | Drums, Vibes |
| Les Hite | Alto and Baritone Saxophone |
| Leon Herriford | Alto Saxophone |
| Charlie Jones | Clarinet, Alto Saxophone |
| Reggie Jones | Tuba |
| Marv Johnson | Alto Saxophone |
| George Orendorff | Trumpet |
| Bill Perkins | Banjo, Guitar |
| Henry Prince | Piano |
| Willie Stark | Alto Saxophone |
| Harold Scott | Trumpet |
