Relatively limited biographical data are available about this orchestra that recorded about 20 sides in the mid-20s. It consisted of Tommy Christian, leader and baritone saxophone; Art Barnett, drums; Paul Close, banjo; James DeAngeles, clarinet and tenor saxophones; Victor DeAngeles, piano-accordion; Phil Fisher and Ted Fisher, trumpet; Harold Lawson and Art Manners, clarinet and alto saxophone; Carl Pickel, piano; Harry Rich, bass brass, as well as Frank Troxell, trombone. Tommy Christian was a small town Alabama boy born in Brewton in 1902. His first orchestra job was with the Jan Garber Orch in 1921 where he played baritone sax. Christian performed on the 1921 Columbia sessions and the 1923 Victor session with Garber. Around 1924 he formed his own band that was promoted as a stage and a dance band. He played the Roseland Ballroom in NY in 1925, quite an engagement for a new band with a 23 year old leader to land. But the band was exceptional. Christian made 21 sides for Columbia's budget label, Harmony, from 1925 to 1930 starting with "That Certain Party" in Nov. 1925-Harmony74H. His most successful 78, Swamp Blues, was recorded March '27 in NY and issued on DIVA, Velvet Tone and Harmony, the only recording that was issued on a label other than Harmony exclusively. Every summer from 1928 to 1933, his band played the Palisades Amusement Park in Cliffside NJ (overlooking NY from the west side of the Hudson River) and the shows were broadcast over WHN, Cliffside and carried by CBS affiliates on the east coast. In 1929, Christian made 8 fifteen minute shorts and in each he played an orchestra leader. Each film showcased the band's music. He also made one full length film called Howdy Broadway, again playing an orchestra leader. All 9 of the films were produced by Raytone Talking PIctures of Ft Lee NJ. This great recording was made in 1926. Vocal by Jack Kaufman.
