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Meadow Lark

Cliff Edwards & His
Hot Combination

Arthur Schutt , Cliff Edwards, Dick McDonough, Jimmy Dorsey, Miff Mole, Red Nichols, Vic Berton

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This recording was produced in New York City during November of 1926 featuring Cliff Edwards ukulele & vocals, accompanied by Red Nichols trumpet, Miff Mole trombone, Jimmy Dorsey clarinet & alto sax, Arthur Schutt piano, Dick McDonough banjo, and Vic Berton drums.

*"Meadow Lark" was written by Ted Fiorito and Hal Keidel.

Born June 14th 1895 in Hannibal, Missouri, Clifton Avon "Cliff" Edwards was destined to become a favorite pop-music icon of the 1920's and '30's. After deciding to pursue the ukulele because it "was the cheapest instrument in the music shop" Cliff became quite proficient on the new instrument and was given his famous nickname "Ukulele Ike" by an absent-minded club owner who could never remember his real moniker. In 1918 Ike got his big break at the Arsonia Cafe in Chicago when he performed "Ja-Da" a song that was, incidentally, written by the club's resident pianist, Bob Carleton. Upon hearing Cliff Edwards' stellar performance Vaudeville headliner Joe Frisco immediately hired him to join his act, which at the time was, featured at the most prestigious vaudeville house in the entire Country, the Palace Theater in New York City. Later on as his popularity grew, Edwards also joined Frisco in the Ziegfeld Follies.