This band, whose entire output is included here, is surely one of the most remarkable in the history of Jazz and dance music, for it was directed by a winsomely attractive young lady. Nothing in that, you may say; there were other bands that were led by similarly attractive girls (Ina Ray Hutton’s was composed entirely of them) but Thelma Terry was no slinky figurehead; she played string bass of all things, and did so with the taste and assurance associated with male exponents of the instrument, such as Pops Foster, Joe Tarto, Steve Brown, John Kirby, Wellman Braud, Bill Johnson …

A glance at the personnel of the two sessions recorded shows that here were some of the great names of Chicago Jazz, playing largely non-vocal versions of popular tunes of the time, propelled with ease by the dynamic little lady* with the big fiddle. — by Brian Rust (from the liner notes of The Chicago Hot Bands 1924 – 1928 on Timeless Records)

* Brian Rust seems to have formed the impression that Thelma was tiny and petite when he refers to her as “the little lady.” He uses similar adjectives in a book of his from twenty years ago or so. I checked, and her daughter Patti says Thelma stood 5′ 7″. -David Apolloni

If you would like to order the Timeless Records’ CD of Chicago Hot Bands 1924 – 1928 you can do so direct from Timeless Records.

Title	Recording Date	Recording Location	Company
Dusky Stevedore (Andy Razaf / J.C. Johnson)	9-27-1928	New York, New York	Columbia 1588-D
Lady Of Havana (Bernie / Val / VanLoan)	3-29-1928	Chicago, Illinois	Columbia 1390-D
Mama’s Gone (A. J. Piron / Peter Bocage)	3-29-1928	Chicago, Illinois	Columbia 1706-D
Starlight And Tulips (Wendling / Bryan)	3-29-1928	Chicago, Illinois	Columbia 1532-D
The Voice Of The Southland (Keeps Calling Me Home) (Austin / Bloom / Ted Koehler)	3-29-1928	Chicago, Illinois	Columbia 1390-D
When Sweet Susie Goes Steppin’ By (Kaufman / Kelly / Bilbo)	9-27-1928	New York, New York	Columbia 1588-D

Artist	Instrument
Roy Campbell	Banjo
Joe Davis	Drums, Vocals
Pat Davies	Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone
Charles Dornberger	Clarinet, Alto Saxophone
Dub Fleming	Cornet
Earl Gray	Clarinet, Alto Saxophone
Gene Krupa	Drums
Bud Jacobson	Clarinet
Johnny Mendel	Trumpet
Floyd O’Brien	Trombone
Bill Otto	Piano
Mike Platt	Clarinet, Alto Saxophone
Carl Rinker	Trumpet
Mike Platt	Clarinet, Alto Saxophone
George Shirley	Banjo
Phil Shukin	Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone
Warren Smith	Trombone
Thelma Terry	Bass, Director
Bob Zurke	Piano