Wilbur Sweatman's Original Jazz Band

**Wilbur Sweatman's Original Jazz Band** brought early jazz flavors to the forefront during the 1910s and 1920s, led by the charismatic clarinetist Wilbur Sweatman himself. A pivotal figure in transitioning ragtime to jazz, Sweatman was known for his showmanship—like playing three clarinets simultaneously—and his band became one of the first African American groups to record jazz commercially. Their 1917 recording of "Indianola" (a nod to the Mississippi blues hub) and playful tracks like "Think of Me Little Daddy" showcased their lively, syncopated style, blending ragtime’s bounce with jazz’s improvisational spark. Though not as widely remembered today, Sweatman’s crew helped pave the way for the Jazz Age, gigging from Midwest theaters to New York City and leaving behind a legacy of early recordings that bridged musical eras. Their work remains a fascinating snapshot of jazz’s scrappy, formative years.