by Dale Jones
The Coon Sanders Nighthawks Orchestra was formed in 1919 and was at its peak between 1926 and 1932. The Orchestra was assembled by Carleton Coon and Joe Sanders in Kansas City. Coon was born in Rochester, Minnesota in 1893 and his family moved to Missouri shortly after his birth and eventually moved to Kansas City while he was an infant. Sanders was born in Kansas in 1896. Sanders was known as "The Old Left Hander" because of his skills at baseball. He gave the game up in the early '20s to make dance music his career.

The Orchestra was a pioneer in broadcasting their music over WDAF Radio from the Muehlbach Hotel at 1213 Wyandotte Street in Kansas City, Missouri. The broadcasts were in the early morning and the Nighthawks Club was formed for fans of the great music being broadcast. Fans were encouraged to send in requests for songs by letter, telephone or telegram. That move became so popular that Western Union set up a ticker tape between Sanders' piano and Coon's drums so the telegrams could be acknowledged during the broadcasts.

The group left Kansas City for the first time in 1924 for a three month engagement in a roadhouse in Chicago. They moved into the Blackhawk Hotel (139 North Wabash) in Chicago in 1926. The members of the Orchestra at that time were Joe Richolson and Bob Pope, trumpets; Rex Downing, trombone; Harold Thiell, Joe Thiell and Floyd Estep, saxophones; Joe Sanders, piano; Russ Stout, banjo and guitar; "Pop" Estep, tuba; Carelton Coon, drums. In the following years, the Nighthawks performed at the Blackhawk every winter, broadcasting over the powerful WGN Radio station. Their reputation spread from coast to coast through the broadcasts and the many records they made for Victor. They undertook very successful road tours.

At their peak, each member of the Orchestra owned identical Cord Automobiles, each in a different color with the name of the Orchestra and the owner embossed on the rear. The Orchestra's popularity showed no signs of abating and their contract with MCA had another 15 years to run in the spring of 1932 when disaster struck. Carelton Coon came down with a jaw infection and, on May 4, 1932, at 38 years of age, he passed away.

Joe Sanders attempted to keep the organization going, however, without Coon, the public did not support them. In 1935, he formed his own group and played until the early '40s when he became a part time orchestra leader and studio musician. In his later years he suffered from failing eyesight and other health problems. He passed away in 1965 after suffering a stroke.

The Kansas City Public Library acquired the great scrapbooks and other memorabilia collected and prepared by Joe Sanders and the information is available to researchers.

Some of their most popular hits were Wabash Blues, After You've Gone, Alone in the Rain, Alone at Last, and the ever popular, Here Comes My Ball And Chain.

The Coon Sanders Nighthawks Fans' Bash is held annually on the weekend following Mothers' Day in Huntington, West Virginia to remember the great contributions to music made by all the members of the Coon Sanders Nighthawks Orchestra and to play and enjoy the great music of the era. This event has been held annually for 38 years. Over the years, such musical notables as Curt Hitch, Bill Rank, Earl Roberts, Doc Ryker, Paul Oconnor, Mike Walbridge, Bob Neighbor, Frank Powers, Bob Lefever, Johnny Haynes, Jimmy and Carrie Mazzy, Moe Klippert, Clyde Austin, Nocky Parker and Fred Woodaman have attended and played at the event. The great trombonist, Spiegle Willcox attended regularly for many years, celebrating his 94th birthday at the event in 1997. The Bash for 2005 featured the Toll House Jazz Band from Columbus, Ohio and the West End Jazz Band from Chicago, Illinois. The Backyard Dixie Jazz Stompers and the 1937 Flood Jug Band, both from Huntington, also performed. The 39th Annual Bash for 2006 is scheduled for May 18th and 19th. The West End Jazz Band, the Toll House Jazz Band, the Backyard Dixie Jazz Stompers and the 1937 Flood are all scheduled to return along with about 15 other invited musicians. In addition to performances by the featured groups, we will have mix and match sets with all the invited musicians participating. For more information about the event, or, to be placed on the mailing list, contact:

Dale Jones, President
Coon Sanders Nighthawks Fans' Bash
32 West 7th Avenue
Huntington, WV 25701
Phone (304) 633-5241
or contact the E-Mail address at Coonsander@msn.com.