Memphis Jug Band

The Memphis Jug Band was an American musical group in the 1920s and 1930s. The band featured violins, mandolins, banjos, and guitars, backed by washboards, kazoo, and jugs blown to supply the bass; they played in a variety of musical styles

The Memphis Jug Band was an American musical group in the 1920s and 1930s. The band featured violins, mandolins, banjos, and guitars, backed by washboards, kazoo, and jugs blown to supply the bass; they played in a variety of musical styles. Vocals were provided by Memphis Minnie and Hattie Hart.

Between 1927 and 1934 various African-American musicians in the Memphis, Tennessee area grouped around singer, guitarist, and harmonica player Will Shade and called themselves the Memphis Jug Band. The personnel varied from day to day, but frequently consisted of Shade, Charlie Polk, "Ham" Lewis or Jab Jones on jug, Ben Ramsey on kazoo, Charlie Burse or Will Weldon on guitar, Vol Stevens on violin or mandolin, and sometimes Memphis Minnie or Hattie Hart on vocals.