Harlem Hamfats

The Harlem Hamfats were a unique and influential blues and jazz band active during the mid-to-late 1930s. Formed in Chicago in 1936, the group was originally assembled by record producer J. Mayo Williams as a studio band designed to back up other musicians. But the Hamfats turned out to be a major hit in their own right, blending elements of blues, swing, New Orleans jazz, and early R&B into a sound that was both accessible and innovative. Their music was ahead of its time and helped lay the groundwork for later developments in rhythm and blues.

Known for their catchy, often risqué songs like "Weed Smoker's Dream" (which later became the jazz standard "Why Don't You Do Right?") and "Let's Get Drunk and Truck," the Harlem Hamfats showcased the talents of musicians like guitarist Charlie McCoy and trumpet player Herb Morand. Though their recording career was relatively short-lived, lasting until around 1939, their music has had a lasting impact and is still celebrated by blues and early jazz enthusiasts today.

Genres

Swing Music

Ragtime

Electro Swing

Latest Release

Chicago Dirty Blues

Harlem Hamfats

Album - 12 Tracks - Released October 22, 2021