by Brian Rust
(from the liner notes of The Chicago Hot Bands 1924 – 1928 on Timeless Records)

Edgar A. Benson was a 'cellist' who became an impresario, managing many bands in Chicago from 1920 to 1930. The Number One orchestra was originally directed by pianist Roy Bargy, who left the Benson organization at the end of 1922, and Don Bestor, also a pianist, took his place at the front of a new orchestra that for the first eight months featured the forward-looking saxophone work of Frank Trumbauer. Two of the most jazz-oriented sides that the Benson Orchestra of Chicago recorded are included here: Copenhagen must be one of the hottest versions on record next to the Wolverines' own
(it was recorded by them with Bix Beiderbecke leading on cornet just four months prior to the Benson version), and Riverboat Shuffle, written by Hoagy Carmichael with the Wolverines in mind, is another from the Wolverines' date, but which the Bensons did not record until a year had elapsed. By that time, recording had become electric, and the warmth of the Benson Orchestra is much more apparent.

If you would like to order the Timeless Records' CD of The Chicago Hot Bands 1924 – 1928 you may do so through Worlds Records or direct from Timeless Records.

Thanks to Carl Rose, Andy Hall and Owen Miller for their help with this page.