In 1928 Andy Kirk took over the Terrence Holder Orchestra renaming it Andy Kirk and his Dark Clouds Of Joy and then Andy Kirk and his Twelve Clouds Of Joy. The band went on to become one of the most popular of all the territory bands and maintained a successful career that lasted for over twenty years. Mary Lou Williams rose to prominence in the band. She first recorded with them in 1929 when the regular piano player missed the recording session and her husband John Williams who played saxophone in the band suggested that she take his place. In 1931 she joined the band fulltime and continued to play with them until 1942. In 1936 the band had a big hit record with the song "Until The Real Thing Comes Along" and another one in 1942 with "Hey Lawdy Mama".

Thanks to Bob Palmer, James Gallup and Owen Miller for their help with this page. Additional thanks to Scott and Mark of Vintage Music Company.

TitleRecording DateRecording LocationCompany
A Dream Dropped In 1-3-1941 New York, New York Decca
3619 B
A Mellow Bit Of Rhythm
(Mary Lou Williams / Herman Walder)		 7-26-1937 New York, New York Decca
1579 B
All The Jive Is Gone 3-3-1936 New York, New York Decca
744 B
Bear Down 12-13-1937 New York, New York Decca
1606 B
Bearcat Shuffle 3-4-1936 New York, New York Decca
1046 B
Better Luck Next Time 7-26-1937 New York, New York Decca
1422
Big Jim Blues
(Mary Lou Williams / Harry Lawson)		 11-15-1939 New York, New York Decca
2915B
Big Time Crip 7-17-1941 New York, New York Decca
4042 B
Bless You, My Dear
(H. Niesen / H. Lawrence / J. Milton)		 9-9-1938 New York, New York Decca
2204 A
Blue Clarinet Stomp
(Andy Kirk)		 11-7-1929 New York, New York Brunswick
4694
Vocalion 3255
Blue Illusion
(Musicant / Gindhart / Lafreniere)		 4-3-1936 New York, New York Decca
772 A
Boogie Woogie Cocktail
Piano Solo by Kenneth Kersey
(Kenneth Kersey)		 7-14-1942 New York, New York Decca
4381 B
Decca
25118 A
Breeze 10-24-1938 New York, New York Decca
2261 A
But It Didn't Mean A Thing 12-6-1938 New York, New York Decca
2277 A
Casey Jones Special
(Andy Kirk)		 11-8-1929 Kansas City, Missouri Brunswick
4653
Christopher Columbus
(Leon Berry / Andy Razaf)		 3-7-1936 New York, New York Decca
729 A
Close To Five
(Williams)		 3-16-1939 New York, New York Decca
2407 B
Clouds 12-5-1938 New York, New York Decca
2570 A
Cloudy
(Williams)		 11-7-1929 New York, New York Brunswick
4653
Cloudy
(Williams)		 4-3-1936 New York, New York Decca
1208
Corky
(Mary Lou Williams / Andy Kirk)		 4-3-1936 New York, New York Decca
772 B
Corky Stomp
(Mary Lou Williams / Andy Kirk)		 11-11-1929 Kansas City, Missouri Brunswick
1211-A
Brunswick
4893
Corky Stomp
(Mary Lou Williams / Andy Kirk)		 3-7-1936 New York, New York Decca
772 B
Cuban Boogie Woogie 1-3-1941 New York, New York Decca
3663 A
Dallas Blues
(Hart A. Wand / Lloyd Garret)		 10-9-1930 Chicago, Illinois Brunswick
6129
Dedicated To You
(Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin)		 12-9-1936 New York, New York Decca
1146 A
Downstream
(Lawrence / Davidson / Nixon / Kirk)		 2-15-1937 New York, New York Decca
1531 B
Dunkin' A Doughnut
(Mary Lou Williams)		 12-5-1938 New York, New York Decca
2723 B
(Ev'rything Happened)
When I Saw You
Vocal Chorus by Henry Wells
(Lloyd Johnson / Jack Allan)		 11-7-1940 New York, New York Decca
3491 A
Fifteen Minute Intermission
(Sonny Skler / Bette Cannon)		 6-25-1940 New York, New York Decca
3282 B
Fifty-Second Street 12-9-1936 New York, New York Decca
1146 B
Fine And Mellow
Vocal Chorus by June Richmond
(Billie Holiday)		 6-25-1940 New York, New York Decca
3282 A
Floyd's Guitar Blues
featuring Guitar Solo by Floyd Smith
(Floyd Smith)		 3-16-1939 New York, New York Decca
2483 A
Foolin' Myself 4-17-1937 New York, New York Decca
1261
47th Street Jive
Vocal Chorus by June Richmond
(Roosevelt Sykes)		 7-17-1941 New York, New York Decca
4042 A
Froggy Bottom
(Mary Lou Williams)		 11-11-1929 Kansas City, Missouri Brunswick
1211-B
Brunswick
4893
Froggy Bottom (take A)
(Mary Lou Williams)		 3-4-1936 New York, New York Columbia 729-B
Froggy Bottom (take B)
(Mary Lou Williams)		 3-4-1936 New York, New York Decca
729 B
Getting' Off A Mess (Seven Little Clouds Of Joy)
(Mary Lou Williams)		 7-15-1930 Chicago, Illinois Brunswick
7180
Ghost Of Love
Vocal Chorus by Pha Terrell
(Mary Lou Williams / Jack Lawrence)		 10-24-1938 New York, New York Decca
2226 A
Git (take A) 3-3-1936 New York, New York Columbia
Git (take B or C) 3-3-1936 New York, New York Decca
931 B
Give Her A Pint (And She'll Tell It All) 4-7-1936 New York, New York Decca
853 A
Goodbye 12-6-1938 New York, New York Decca
2570 B
Hey Lawdy Mama
(Easton)		 7-14-1942 New York, New York Decca
4405 A
Hip Hip Hooray 7-29-1942 New York, New York Decca
4366 A
Honey
Vocal Chorus by Pha Terrell
(Simons / Gillespie / Whiting)		 12-5-1938 New York, New York Decca
2326 A
Honey, Just For You
(Lawrence Freeman)		 10-9-1930 Chicago, Illinois Brunswick
4981
How Can We Be Wrong? 9-9-1938 New York, New York Decca
2081
How Much Do You Mean To Me? 9-12-1938 New York, New York Decca
2081 B
I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You
(Young / Crosby / Washington)		 11-15-1939 New York, New York Decca
2915 A
I'll Get By 2-8-1938 New York, New York Decca
1916 B
I Guess I'll Never Fail You
(Mizzy / Taylor)		 3-23-1939 New York, New York Decca
2407 A
(I Guess) I'll Never Learn
(Gordon / Kaufman)		 3-16-1939 New York, New York Decca
2510 B
I Lost My Gal From Memphis
(Charles Tobias / Peter DeRose)		 4-29-1930 Kansas City, Missouri Brunswick
4803
I Surrender, Dear
(Gordon Clifford / Harry Barris)		 2-8-1938 New York, New York Decca
1916 A
If I Feel This Way Tomorrow 11-18-1940 New York, New York Decca
3582 A
I'll Always Be With You 1-2-1940 New York, New York Decca
I'll Get Along Somehow 4-17-1937 New York, New York Decca
1349
I'll Get By
Vocal Chorus by Henry Wells		 2-8-1938 New York, New York Decca
1916 B
I'm Getting Nowhere With You
(Wood / Adams)		 11-15-1939 New York, New York Decca
2957 B
I'm Glad For Your Sake (I'm Sorry For Mine) 4-17-1937 New York, New York Decca
1531 A
I'm Misunderstood
(Ted Grouya)		 7-17-1941 New York, New York Decca
4141 A
In My Wildest Dreams
Vocal Chorus by Pha Terrell
(Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin)		 7-26-1937 New York, New York Decca
1579 A
In The Groove 2-15-1937 New York, New York Decca
1261
Is It A Sin (Loving You?)
Vocal Chorus by Henry Wells
(Emma Carus / Vincent Bryan / J. Leopold)		 1-3-1941 New York, New York Decca
3619 A
I'se A Muggin' 3-11-1936 New York, New York Decca
744 A
I Surrender Dear
Vocal Chorus by Pha Terrell
(Harry Barris / Gordon Clifford)		 2-8-1938 New York, New York Decca
1916 A
It Always Will Be You
(Billy Hays / Frank Copano / Ray O'Day)		 1-2-1940 New York, New York Decca
2957 A
It Must Be True
(Harry Barris / Gus Arnheim / G. Clifford)		 2-8-1938 New York, New York Decca
1827 B
"I Wanna" Go Where You Go - Do What You Do Then I'll Be Happy
(Friend / Claire / Brown)		 3-23-1939 New York, New York Decca
2723 A
I Want To Be A Gypsy 7-27-1937 New York, New York Decca
1422
I Won't Tell A Soul (I Love You)
Vocal Chorus by Pha Terrell
(Hughie Charles / Ross Parker)		 9-12-1938 New York, New York Decca
2127 A
Julius Caesar 12-5-1938 New York, New York Decca
2383 B
Jump Jack Jump
(Buggs Roberts)		 10-24-1938 New York, New York Decca
2226 B
Little Joe From Chicago
(Mary Lou Williams / Henry Wells)		 2-8-1938 New York, New York Decca
1710 A
Decca
3385 B
Decca
25118 B
Little Miss
(George Washington / Roger Segure)		 7-8-1940 New York, New York Decca
3491 B
Loose Ankles
(Jack Meskill / Pete Wendling)		 4-29-1930 Kansas City, Missouri Brunswick
4803
Lotta Sax Appeal
(Mary Lou Williams / John Williams)		 3-2-1936 New York, New York Decca
3883 A
Love Is The Thing
Vocal Chorus by Pha Terrell
(Young / Washington)		 1-2-1940 New York, New York Decca
2962 B
Lover, Come Back To Me!
From Musical Production "THe New Moon"
(Sigmund Romberg / Oscar Hammerstein II)		 12-13-1937 New York, New York Decca
1663 B
Mary's Idea
(Mary Lou Williams)		 4-30-1930 Chicago, Illinois Brunswick
4863
Mary's Idea
(Mary Lou Williams)		 12-6-1938 New York, New York Decca
2326 B
McGhee Special
(Howard McGhee)		 7-14-1942 New York, New York Decca
4405 B
Messa Stomp
(Mary Lou Williams)		 9-9-1938 New York, New York Decca
2204 B
Mess-A-Stomp
(Mary Lou Williams)		 11-7-1929 New York, New York Brunswick
4694
Vocalion 3255
Midnight Stroll 7-8-1940 New York, New York Decca
3350 B
Moten Swing 3-2-1936 New York, New York Decca
853 B
Decca 3517 B
No Answer
(Guy Wood / A. Hoffman / M. Siegler)		 7-17-1941 New York, New York Decca
4141 B
No Greater Love 7-8-1940 New York, New York Decca
3350 A
Now I Lay Me Down To Dream
(Ted Fiorito / Eddy Howard)		 7-8-1940 New York, New York Decca
3306 A
Once Or Twice
(Cobb)		 5-1-1930 Chicago, Illinois Brunswick
4863
Or Have I? 11-18-1940 New York, New York Decca
3582 B
Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
(Sidney Clare / Sam H. Stept / Bee Palmer)		 11-15-1939 New York, New York Decca
3033 A
Poor Butterfly
Vocal Chorus by Pha Terrell
(Raymond Hubbell / John L. Golden)		 12-13-1937 New York, New York Decca
1663 B
Puddin' Head Serenade (take A)
(Clyde Hart)		 3-31-1936 New York, New York Columbia
Puddin' Head Serenade (take C)
(Clyde Hart)		 4-10-1936 New York, New York Decca
1208
Ride On, Ride On
Vocal Chorus by June Richmond		 7-14-1942 New York, New York Decca
4436 B
Ring Dem Bells 1-3-1941 New York, New York Decca
3663 B
Saturday
(Mitchell / Brooks)		 12-15-1930 New York, New York Brunswick
6027
Say It Again 12-6-1938 New York, New York Decca
2774 B
Scratching In The Gravel
(Mary Lou Williams / Wheeler Wilson)		 6-25-1940 New York, New York Decca
3293 A
September In The Rain 12-5-1938 New York, New York Decca
2617 B
Sittin' Around And Dreamin' 10-25-1938 New York, New York Decca
2261B
Skies Are Blue 2-15-1937 New York, New York Decca
1349
Snag It
(King Oliver)		 4-30-1930 Kansas City, Missouri Brunswick
4878
Sophomore
(Hill / Causer)		 12-15-1930 New York, New York Brunswick
6027
S'posin'
(Paul Denniker / Andy Razaf)		 3-23-1939 New York, New York Decca
2510 A
Steppin' Pretty 3-4-1936 New York, New York Decca
931 A
Sweet And Hot
(Lawrence Freeman)		 4-30-1930 Chicago, Illinois Brunswick
4878
Take It And Git 7-29-1942 New York, New York Decca
4366 B
Take Those Blues Away
(Jackson)		 6-25-1940 New York, New York Decca
3293 B
The Big Dipper 12-13-1937 New York, New York Decca
1606 A
The Count 11-7-1940 New York, New York Decca
18123
The Key To My Heart 7-27-1937 New York, New York Decca
1710
The Lady Who Swings The Band
(Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin)		 12-9-1936 New York, New York Decca
1085 B
There Is No Greater Love
(Jones / Symes)		 7-8-1940 New York, New York Decca
Toadie Toddle
Vocal Chorus by Ben Thigpen
(Mary Lou Williams / Sharon Pease)		 9-12-1938 New York, New York Decca
2127 B
Travelin' That Rocky Road
(Lovett / Smith)		 10-9-1930 Chicago, Illinois Brunswick
4981
Twelfth Street Rag
(Euday L. Bowman)		 11-7-1940 New York, New York Decca
18123
Twinklin' 2-8-1938 New York, New York Decca
2483 B
Unlucky Blues
Vocal Chorus by June Richmond		 7-29-1942 New York, New York Decca
4436 A
Until The Real Thing Comes Along
Vocal Chorus by Pha Terrell
(Cahn / Chaplin / Freeman)		 3-11-1936 New York, New York Decca
809 B
Walkin' And Swingin' (take A)
(Mary Lou Williams)		 3-2-1936 New York, New York Columbia
Walkin' And Swingin' (take C)
(Mary Lou Williams)		 3-2-1936 New York, New York Decca
809 B
Wednesday Night Hop 2-15-1937 New York, New York Decca
1303 B
Wham (Wham, Re, Bop, Boom, Bam)
Vocal Chorus by June Richmond
(Taps Miller / Edward Durham)		 1-2-1940 New York, New York Decca
2962 A
What A Life 10-24-1938 New York, New York Decca
2617 A
What Will I Tell My Heart?
Vocal Chorus by Pha Terrell
(Peter Tinturin / Jack Lawrence)		 12-9-1936 New York, New York Decca
1085 A
What Would People Say? 9-12-1938 New York, New York Decca
2277 B
What's Mine Is Yours 7-27-1937 New York, New York Decca
1827 A
What's Your Story, Morning Glory?
(Mary Lou Williams / J. Lawton / P. Webster)		 10-25-1938 New York, New York Decca
3306
Why Can't We Do It Again? 7-27-1937 New York, New York Decca
1477
Why Don't I Get Wise To Myself
(Sid Bass / Ken Hecht)		 3-23-1939 New York, New York Decca
2774 B
Why Go On Pretending?
(Williams / Jacobs)		 1-2-1940 New York, New York Decca
3033 B
With Love In My Heart 7-26-1937 New York, New York Decca
1477
Worried Life Blues 7-29-1942 New York, New York Decca
4381 A
Worried Over You
Vocal Chorus by Pha Terrell
(Fred Rose / Edward G. Nelson)		 4-17-1937 New York, New York Decca
1303 A
You Rascal, You (Seven Little Clouds Of Joy)
(Sam Thread)		 10-9-1930 Chicago, Illinois Brunswick
7180
You Set Me On Fire
(Colwell / MacKinnon)		 3-16-1939 New York, New York Decca
2383 A
ArtistInstrument
Harold Baker Trumpet
Edgar Battle Trumpet
John Burris Trumpet
Don Byas Tenor Saxophone
Booker Collins String Bass
William Dirvin Banjo, Guitar
Ted Donnelly Trombone
Allen Durham Trombone
Lawrence Freeman Tenor Saxophone
John Harrington Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone
Edward Inge Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone
Les Johnakins Arranger
Kenny Kersey Piano, Arranger
Paul King Trumpet
Andy Kirk Bass Saxophone, Tuba or Sousaphone, Director
Harry Lawson Trumpet, Vocal
Billy Massey Vocal
Howard McGhee Trumpet, Arranger
Edward McNeil Drums
Earl Miller Alto Saxophone
Harry Mills Vocal
Rudy Powell Clarinet, Alto Saxophone
Gene Prince Trumpet
June Richmond Vocal
Dick Robertson Vocal
Fred Robinson Trombone
Milton Robinson Trombone
Ted Robinson Guitar
Al Sears Tenor Saxophone
Ben Smith Alto Saxophone
Floyd Smith Guitar, Electric Guitar, Vocal
O'Neil Spencer Vocal
Pha Terrell Vocal
Ben Thigpen Drums, Violin
Earl Thomson Trumpet, Arranger
Clarence Trice Trumpet
Henry Wells Trombone, Vocal
Claude Williams Violin
John Williams Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone
Mary Lou Williams Piano, Arranger
Dick Wilson Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone
Twenty Years on Wheels, by Andy Kirk as told to Amy Lee, The University of Michigan Press, 1989