History of Black Patti Records
Black Patti Records was a short-lived (less than a year in 1927) record label. The label was owned by The Chicago Record Company, which in turn was owned by promoter Mayo ‘Ink’ Williams. The label was named after 19th century African-American singer Matilda Sissieretta Joyner Jones, who was nicknamed The Black Patti after famous opera star Adelina Patti.
Mayo Williams had enjoyed a profitable career as de-facto manager of "Race Records" (recordings by African American artists intended for African American customers) for Paramount Records. He decided to go into the record business for himself. He had no equipment, only his Chicago office. The actual recording and pressing of the records was contracted out, mostly to Gennett Records.
Black Patti Records debuted with advertisements in May 1927, with some two dozen discs said to already be available. The repertory included jazz, blues, sermons, spirituals, and vaudeville skits, most (but not quite all) by African American entertainers. A total of 55 different discs were manufactured. Williams found running his own label not as lucrative and easy as he had hoped and closed up operations before the end of 1927.
Perhaps the most famous of the sides recorded for Black Patti are those by Willie Hightower's jazz band.
Most Valuable Blues and Jazz Artists on the Black Patti Label
Willie Hightower on Black Patti 78 RPM
Mozelle Alderson on Black Patti 78 RPM
Hattie Garland on Black Patti 78 RPM
Steamboat Joe on Black Patti 78 RPM
Sam Collins on Black Patti 78 RPM
Big Boy Woods on Black Patti 78 RPM
Kid Brown on Black Patti 78 RPM
Elizabeth Washington on Black Patti 78 RPM
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