Yerkes' Blue Bird Orchestra - Hold Me

Harry A. Yerkes led numerous ensembles whose recordings appeared on many of the popular labels between 1917 and 1924. The music played by these groups ranged from classical overtures and light-headed mood pieces through topical favorites, ragtime and music pointing the way towards authentic jazz. Yerkes employed remarkable musicians in his ensembles: clarinetist Alcide "Yellow" Núñez, trombonist Tom Brown, pianist Ted Fio Rito, trumpeter Earl Oliver, saxophone star Rudy Wiedoeft, and percussionist George Hamilton Green. He also hired instrumental talent from the Metropolitan Opera House. This excellent disc was waxed in 1920.