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Ain't We Got Fun?

Benson Orchestra of Chicago

Albert Walthall, Arthur Layfield, Guy Carey, Joe Baum, Joe Miller, Matthew Amaturo, Rick Adkins, Roy Bargy, Tom Thatcher, William Foeste

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The "Benson Orchestra of Chicago" made this recording for Victor in Chicago on April 11th 1921 featuring Rick Adkins trumpet, Guy Carey trombone, Matthew Amaturo clarinet, alto, and soprano sax, Tom Thatcher tenor sax, Joe Baum and Albert Walthall violins, Roy Bargy piano & director, Joe Miller banjo, William Foeste tuba, and Arthur Layfield drums.

*"Ain't We Got Fun" was written by Richard A. Whiting.

Edgar A. Benson was a cellist who became an impresario, managing many bands in Chicago from 1920 to 1930. His number one orchestra soon became one of the most popular dance bands of the early 1920s, based at the Marigold Gardens a notorious gangster hang-out. The popular orchestra was originally directed by pianist Roy Bargy, who left the Benson organization at the end of 1922 and was promptly replaced by Don Bestor (also a pianist) who took his place at the front of the orchestra.