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Merritt Brunies and his Friars Inn Orchestra
Merritt Brunies led this orchestra at the Friars Inn at 1834 Wasbash Street at Van Buren in Chicago. They got the gig after Merritt’s brother George Brunies‘ band the Friar’s Society Orchestra vacated the job in 1924. Merritt’s band stayed on at the Friar’s Inn for three years before leaving for the Cinderella Ballroom.

Merritt Brunies and his Friars Inn Orchestra
Merritt Brunies and his Friars Inn Orchestra Left to Right: Gordon Pouliot, Bill Paley, Henry Brunies, Maurie Friedman, Merritt Brunies, Bill Creger, Norman Van Hook, Clarence Piper, Rip Logan.

The Brunies family produced several jazz musicians. Henry Brunies played trombone in the Friars Inn Orchestra and another of the Brunies brothers, Abbie was the leader of the Halfway House Orchestra back home in New Orleans.discography

Title Recording Date Recording Location Company
Angry
(Merritt Brunies / Henry Brunies / Jules Cassard)
11-1924 Chicago, Illinois Autograph
610
Clarinet Marmalade
(Larry Shields / Henry Ragas)
6-1925 Chicago, Illinois Autograph
624
Flag That Train
(Richmond / McPhail / Rothschild)
5-1925 Chicago, Illinois Autograph
624
Flamin’ Mamie
(Rose / Whiteman)
2-26-1926 Chicago, Illinois Okeh
40579
Follow The Swallow
(Rose / Dixon / Henderson)
9-1924 Chicago, Illinois Autograph
Forever With You 3-2-1926 Chicago, Illinois Odeon
03301
Hangin’ Around
(Gardner / Hamm)
2-26-1926 Chicago, Illinois Okeh
40579
(I Don’t Know Why)
Weep Over You

(Volly de Faut / Clarke / Straight)
11-1924 Chicago, Illinois Autograph
610
I’m As Blue As The Blue Grass Of Kentucky
(Keithley)
2-26-1926 Chicago, Illinois Okeh
40576
Masculine Women! Feminine Men!
(Lesilie / Monaco)
3-2-1926 Chicago, Illinois Okeh
40593
She’s Got ‘Em
(Davis / Warren)
11-14-1925 Chicago, Illinois Okeh
Test
Someone’s Stolen My Sweet Baby
(Brown / Clare / Pinkard)
3-2-1926 Chicago, Illinois Okeh
40593
Sugar Foot Stomp
(King Oliver)
11-14-1925 Chicago, Illinois Okeh
40526-B
Up Jumped The Devil
(Merritt Brunies / Henry Brunies)
9-1924 Chicago, Illinois Autograph
Up Jumped The Devil
(Merritt Brunies / Henry Brunies)
11-14-1925 Chicago, Illinois Okeh
unissued
Up Jumped The Devil
(Merritt Brunies / Henry Brunies / Hamm)
3-2-1926 Chicago, Illinois Okeh
40618
Want A Little Lovin’
Vocal Chorus by Lew King

(Davis / Warren)
11-14-1925 Chicago, Illinois Okeh
40526-A
When Autumn Leaves Are Falling
(Coslow / Silver)
2-26-1926 Chicago, Illinois Okeh
40576

Artist Instrument
Henry Brunies Trombone
Merritt Brunies Cornet
Bill Creger Tenor Saxophone, Bassoon
Volly de Faut Clarinet / Alto Saxophone
Maurie Friedman Piano
Lew King Vocals
Sumner Logan Tenor Saxophone, C-Melody Saxophone
Dudley Mecum Piano
Bill Paley Drums
Clarence Piper Alto Saxophone, Banjo
Gordon Pouliot Violin
Norman Van Hook Bass Brass

 

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