Billy Hays and His Orchestra - Do You Believe? 1929

BILLY HAYS' Orchestra was made up of well-known studio musicians (e.g. Mike Mosiello, Andy Sanella). Some sources take the band's name as a pseudonym for Sam Lanin, while others consider it to be one of dozens of Harry Reser's nicks. The band's original photos, however, prove Billy Hays was a real person and his band was a real band.
These shots, made in 1929 at the first session of Billy Hays' Orchestra for Victor Records, were presented to Glen Richards (the administrator of Hot Dance & Vintage Jazz Pages) by Samuel M. Zehel, whose grandfather, Joe B. Smith, was the lead alto player in the band. On the first photo he is pictured fifth from left, next to the banjo player. Hays is second from left. The original photo clearly shows the vocalist, Andrew T. Stanton, is holding a sheet music copy of 'Sweet Virginia Rose', which they recorded on this date.

(This info and photographs are from: Glen Richard's Hot Dance & Vintage Jazz Pages)

Recording:
Billy Hays & His Orchestra - Do You Believe? Victor 1929

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Roaring
• Twenties
• American
• hot
• dance
• band
• Jazz
• Age
• 78s

[TCDS75]

Preciosa.......César

[gregoryagogo]

That RCA-Victor Dog is such a ham!

[HarborGuy]

I believe - just a wonderful recording and dance number - love the words too.

[NJSherryWine]

I am thrilled to find this on YouTube. Billy Hays was my great-grandfather. He passed away when I was very young. Unfortunately I do not have my great-grandfather's muscial abilities, but I suspect that my daughter may. I am excited to show her this clip. Thank you!

[HarborGuy]

I believe - great music - thank you for the post.

[kspm01]

Wonderful arrangement, and one of those so genuine 20's bands!

[dzheger]

Some energetic playing! And the nasal, plaintive singing is charming.

[genia106]

Love the dog!

Great illustration of the couples dancing at what appears to be the Boathouse in Central Park reminiscent of the Eddie Duchin Story.

[barbcard]

Some terrific highly stylized images. Thanks.

[merrihew]

A spicy arrangement of a fairly straightforward tune. Especially like the contrast of the hot violin.