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Early 1900s songwriter and vaudeville performer. He later became an actor, comedian, film director and studio owner. One of his best known songs is A Good Man Is Hard to Find, published and first offered for sale as a piano roll in the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, on 12th December 1918. Until today there are more than 150 known cover version of this song.
b.: Aug. 16, 1891 in Baltimore, MD
d.: Sept. 19, 1950 in Los Angeles, CA


APPEARANCES +


Ivan Strunin
The First Day Of December
2024, CD, Album, Red Fiddle Records
Amy Cervini
No One Ever Tells You
2018, CD, Album, Anzic Records, ,
Vocal/Ballad
Jon Shain
Gettin’ Handy With The Blues: A Tribute To The Legacy Of W.C. Handy
2018, CD, Album, Flyin' Records
Mary-Elaine Jenkins
Hold Still
2018, CD, Album, Good Child Music
Milton Brown & His Musical Brownies*
The Essential Recordings
2018, 2xCD, Comp, RM, Primo (2), ,
Western Swing
Laurie Jane & The 45s
Late Last Night - Elixir Of Sara Martin
2018
Philipp Schaufelberger, Noël Akchoté
Cinders
2017, 31xFile, MP3, Album, 320, Noël Akchoté Downloads, ,
Dixieland/Swing/Ragtime
Various
20 Original Debut Albums By 20 Rock & Roll Stars
2017, 10xCD + Box, Comp, The Intense Media, Documents, ,
Rock & Roll/Surf
Dixie Project
Herber & Co
2017, CD, Not On Label
Catherine Russell
Harlem On My Mind
2016, CD, Album, Jazz Village, ,
Swing
Fats Waller
The Real Fats Waller
2016, ,
Ragtime/Swing
Various
Bessie (Music From The HBO Film)
2015, CD, Comp, Legacy, Sony Music, ,
Rhythm & Blues/Soul/Louisiana Blues/Soundtrack
Alex Pangman
Alex Pangman's Hot Three!
2015, CD, Album, Gat, Justin Time
Eddie Condon, Bud Freeman
Complete Commodore & Decca Eddie Condon & Bud Freeman Sessions
2015, 8xCD, RM + Box, Comp, Ltd, Num, Mosaic Records (2), ,
Dixieland/Swing
Brenda Wootton & John The Fish
Brenda At Buryan
2013, ,
Celtic/Folk
Helen Humes
'Tain't Nobody's Biz-ness If I Do + Songs I Like To Sing!
2012, CD, Comp, Essential Jazz Classics, ,
Vocal/Cool Jazz
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
50th Anniversary Collection
2012, 4x CD, Box Set, ,
Dixieland
Preservation Hall Jazz Band & The Del McCoury Band
American Legacies
2011, ,
Dixieland/Bluegrass
Fay Claassen
Sing!
2010, CD, Album, Challenge Records (3),
Bessie Smith
The Anthology
2010, 2x CD, ,
Vocal
Bix Beiderbecke
Georgia On My Mind
2009, CD, Comp, Edel Records,
Sarah Lenka
Am I Blue
2008, CD, Album, E-motive records, ,
Vocal
Mina Agossi
Simple Things?
2008, ,
Vocal
Jimmy Blythe
Messin' Around Blues
2007, CD, Comp, Delmark Records
Maria Muldaur
Naughty Bawdy & Blue
2007
Bix Beiderbecke
In A Mist
2007,
Various
Battle Of Trombones
2005, 4xCD, Comp, Mono, Documents, ,
Bop/Ragtime/Big Band/Dixieland/Swing
Fats Waller
Fats Waller (10 CD Set)
2005, 10xCD, Comp, Mono + Box, Documents, ,
Ragtime/Stride/Swing/Jump Blues/Piano Blues
Various
More Big Band Magic: Sounds Like The Fabulous Forties
2005, 2xCD, Comp, Mono, Jasmine Records, ,
Swing/Big Band
Frank Sinatra
Fools Rush In
2005
Bessie Smith
Careless Love
2004, CD, Comp, Complete Blues,
Brenda Lee
Grandma, What Great Songs You Sang! / Miss Dynamite
2004, ,
Rockabilly/Country Rock/Ballad
Bessie Smith
The Complete Recordings, Volume 6
2003, CD, Comp, RM, Frog (7), ,
Vocal
Bessie Smith
Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues
2003
Various
Legends Of Radio: Comedy SuperStars
2002, 10xCass, Comp, RM + Box, Radio Spirits, ,
Comedy
Rachelle Ferrell
Live In Montreux 91-97
2002, ,
Contemporary Jazz/Vocal
Big Maybelle
Candy!
2002,
Bix Beiderbecke, Frank Trumbauer*, Jack Teagarden
The Complete Okeh & Brunswick Bix Beiderbecke, Frank Trumbauer & Jack Teagarden Sessions (1924-1936)
2001, 7xCD + Box, Comp, Mono, Ltd, Num, Mosaic Records (2), ,
Swing/Dixieland
Louis Armstrong
The Satchmo Era
2001, 20xCD, Comp + Box, Weton-Wesgram, ,
Swing/Dixieland
Sara Martin
The Famous Moanin' Mama 1922-1927
2001, CD, Comp, RM, Retrieval
Frank Sinatra
Memories Of Frank Sinatra
2001, 2x CD, ,
Vocal
The Philadelphia Experiment, Uri Caine, Ahmir Thompson* With Special Guest Pat Martino
The Philadelphia Experiment
2001, CD, ,
Jazz-Funk/Downtempo/Contemporary Jazz
Chris Hopkins
Daybreak
2000, CD, Album, Arbors Records
Thomas "Fats" Waller*
The Alternative Takes In Chronological Order Volume 3 (1938-1941)
2000, CD, Comp, RM, Neatwork
Tyrone Brown String Sextet
Song Of The Sun
2000, ,
Contemporary Jazz
Various
Great Swing Classics In Hi-Fi
1999, ,
Big Band/Swing
Sidney Bechet
Young Sidney Bechet 1923-1925
1998, CD, Comp, Timeless Records (3), ,
Dixieland
Blue Lu Barker Featuring The Legendary Danny Barker & His Jazz Hounds
Live At The New Orleans Jazz Festival
1998, CD, Album, Orleans Records
Clarence Williams
Vol. 1 1923
1998, CD, Comp, EPM Musique, Jazz Archives (2),
Various
Vocal Duets - Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order (1924-1931)
1997, CD, Comp, RM, Document Records (2)
Various
The Commodore Story
1997, 2x CD, ,
Vocal/Dixieland/Swing
Bessie Smith
The Essential Bessie Smith
1997
Lizzie Miles
Volume 2 (Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order 25 April 1923 To 29 February 1928)
1996, CD, Comp, RM, Document Records (2)
Floyd Casey
The Washboard King (20 Tunes From Okeh, Vocalion, QRS, Victor)
1996, CD, Comp, Verve Records, ,
Swing
Les Brown
Jazz Masters (100 Ans De Jazz)
1996
Bix Beiderbecke
Jazz & Blues Collection Vol. 25
1995, CD, Comp, RM, Editions Atlas
Clarence Williams
1933
1995, CD, Comp, Classics (11), ,
Swing
Brenda Lee
Little Miss Dynamite
1995, 4xCD, Comp, RE, RM + Box, Comp, RE, RM, Bear Family Records, ,
Rock & Roll/Rockabilly
Bix Beiderbecke
Jazz & Blues Collection Vol. 31
1995, CD, Comp, RM, Mail Order Services
Jess Stacy
1935-1939
1994, ,
Swing/Stride
Fats Waller
1929
1993, CD, Comp, Classics (11)
Ethel Waters
1926-1929
1993
Clarence Williams
1927
1993, CD,
Louis Armstrong
Volume 3 - 1924 - Complete Edition
1992, CD, Comp, Média 7
Bix Beiderbecke
The Bix Beiderbecke Story
1992,
Various
Vocal Duets (1924-1936)
1991, LP, Comp, Mono, RM, Fantasy By Selmerphone
Amos 'N Andy
Amos 'N' Andy
1991, 6xCass, Comp + Box, Radio Spirits
Clarence Williams
The 1923-1931 Recordings: The Complete Sidney Bechet & Louis Armstrong Sessions (1923-1926)
1991, 3xCD, Comp + Box, EPM Musique,
Barbra Streisand
Just For The Record...
1991, 4x CD, Box Set, ,
Ballad/Vocal/Musical
Various
A Golden Hour Of Trad Jazz Vol 2
1990, CD, Album, Comp, KNIGHT RECORDS, ,
Ragtime
Argbiggorna
Varför Heter Ni Argbiggorna ...Ni Som Är Så Glada...
1989, LP, Album, Not On Label
Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys*
The Tiffany Transcriptions Vol. 3: Basin Street Blues
1988, ,
Country Blues/Country/Swing/Western Swing
Danny Barker
Save The Bones
1988
Clarence Williams
A Selection Of His Rare Recordings Volume Two 1924-1930
1988
Frank Sinatra
The Frank Sinatra Duets
1987, CD, ,
Ballad/Swing/Big Band
Various
Angel Heart (Original Soundtrack Music By Trevor Jones. Featuring Courtney Pine, Saxophone.)
1987
Big Maybelle
Blues, Candy & Big Maybelle
1986, ,
Chicago Blues/Contemporary Jazz
Frank Sinatra
Gold
1986, ,
Swing/Easy Listening
Ginny Reilly
Oh, Reilly
1985, LP, Album, Freckle Records (2)
Hot Frogs
A Froggy Day
1984, LP, Album, Kenneth Records (2),
Various
Rocanroleando
1984
Frank Sinatra
20 Golden Classics Vol. 1
1984, ,
Big Band/Easy Listening
Frantic Follies
Vaudeville Revue
1983, LP, Album, Not On Label, ,
Ragtime/Barbershop/Vaudeville/Bluegrass
Muggsy Spanier And His Jazz Band
Relaxin' At The Touro 1952
1983
Eddie Condon And His Orchestra
A Good Band Is Hard To Find
1983,
Clarence Williams And His Washboard Band*
1933~35 Volume One
1982, LP, Album, Comp, Mono, Swaggie Records,
Frank Sinatra
My Best Songs - My Best Years Vol.1
1981
George Melly With John Chilton's Feet Warmers*
Like Sherry Wine
1981, ,
Dixieland/Vocal
Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith
1980,
Alberta Hunter
Amtrak Blues
1980, Vinyl, ,
Swing
Various
One Mo' Time - Original Cast Album
1980
Bix Beiderbecke & Frankie Trumbauer
Bix & Tram
1979, 2xLP, Comp, Mono, EMI,
Claude Luter
The Pearls
1979, LP, Album, Vogue, ,
Swing/Dixieland
Various
Yes Sir, That's My Baby (The Golden Years Of Tin Pan Alley 1920-1929)
1977,
Les Brown & His Band Of Renown*
Today
1976, ,
Big Band/Swing/Vocal
Various
The Roaring Twenties
1976, Vinyl, ,
Vocal
Dorothy Donegan
Dorothy Donegan
1976
Linda Hopkins
Me And Bessie (Linda Hopkins Sings Songs From The Broadway Musical)
1976, Vinyl, ,
Vocal
Los Hooligans
Acapulco Rock
1975, 7", EP, CBS, ,
Garage Rock
Sanae Mizushima
You've Got A Friend
1975
Red Nichols
1925-28: The Redheads - We Three - Sam Lanin - The Six Hottentots
1973, 2xLP, Comp, Fountain Records (5),
Various
Volume 2 From The Vaults Of Duke/Peacock
1973
Bix Beiderbecke
Bixology "A Good Man Is Hard To Find"
1973, ,
Dixieland
The Red Heads
Red Heads / We Three
1972, 10", Comp, Mono, Ristic Records
Bix Beiderbecke - Bunny Berigan - Jimmy McPartland
La Storia Del Jazz - Great Jazz Trumpets 1924 - 1937
1972, LP, Comp, Joker (2), ,
Ragtime/Big Band/Dixieland/Swing
Bix Beiderbecke - Bunny Berigan - Jimmy McPartland
Great Jazz Trumpets 1924 - 1937
1971, ,
Ragtime/Big Band/Dixieland/Swing
Bessie Smith
The Empress
1971
Original Dixieland Jazz Band & Louisiana Five
Original Dixieland Jazz Band & Louisiana Five
1971
Various
Son Of Jest Like Old Times (More Genuine Original Recordings Of Radio's Most Famous Funny Men)
1970, ,
Radioplay/Comedy
Sidney DeParis' Blue Note Jazzmen / Sidney DeParis And His Blue Note Stompers
DeParis Dixie
1969, ,
Dixieland
Nancy Wilson
Hello Young Lovers / Nancy - Naturally!
1968, Reel, 4tr Stereo, 7" Reel, Comp, Capitol Records
Steve Mason
A Good Man Is Hard To Find
1967, 7", Single, Mason Records (3)
Roy Head
A Good Man Is Hard To Find / Nobody But Me (Tells My Eagle When To Fly)
1967
Jan Scobey And Her Dixie Cats
A Tribute To The Immortal Bob Scobey
1966, LP, Album, Jansco, Jansco
Clancy Hayes With Yank Lawson And His Yankee Clippers
Happy Melodies
1965, 7", Jukebox, ABC-Paramount
Mr. Jean Fredericks
Recitals Are A Drag
1965, LP, Album, Eyemark
Victor Feldman
It's A Wonderful World
1965
Various
Pioniere Des Jazz
1965,
Dixieland/Texas Blues
Juanita Hall
Sings Bessie Smith
1965
Los Hooligans
Hooligans
1964
Mandy Rice-Davies
Introducing Mandy
1964
Rosemary Clooney
Thanks For Nothing
1964
Lou Monte
Pepino The Italian Mouse & Other Italian Fun Songs
1963, 7", Jukebox, Reprise Records
Damita Jo
This One's For Me
1963, ,
Swing/Vocal
Andy Griffith
Flop Eared Mule / A Good Man Is Hard To Find
1962, ,
Vocal/Bluegrass/Comedy
Nancy Wilson
Hello Young Lovers
1962, ,
Easy Listening
Lou Monte
Pepino, The Italian Mouse & Other Italian Fun Songs
1962
Bessie Smith
Empress Of The Blues Volume Two
1961, 7", EP, Swaggie Records,
Los Hooligans
Dificil De Atrapar = A Good Man is Hard To Find
1961, 7", Single, Promo, Columbia
Lou Monte
Sixteen Tons
1961
Rusty Warren
Sinsational
1961
Helen Humes
'Tain't Nobody's Biz-Ness If I Do
1960
Various
Thesaurus Of Classic Jazz
1959, ,
Ragtime/Dixieland
Shel Silverstein And The Red Onions*
Hairy Jazz
1959
Brenda Lee
Grandma What Great Songs You Sang!
1959
Les Brown And His Band Of Renown
The Les Brown Story (His Greatest Hits In Today's Sound)
1959
Bix Beiderbecke
The Legendary Bix Beiderbecke (Bix And Tram)
1959
Various
Introduction To Stereo
1958, LP, Comp, Westminster, ,
Special Effects/Classical
Laurentian Singers*, The Saints*, The Sinners*, The University Band*
Laurentia!
1958, LP, Album, Spe, Recorded Publications Company
Ronnie Gilbert
In Hi-Fi The Legend Of Bessie Smith
1958
George Wettling's All Stars
Dixieland In Hi-Fi
1958
Teresa Brewer
Music, Music, Music
1957, ,
Vocal
Teresa Brewer
Music! Music! Music!
1955
The Chordettes
Close Harmony
1955
Sidney DeParis And His Blue Note Stompers With Jimmy Archey And Omer Simeon
Sidney DeParis And His Blue Note Stompers
1955
Kid Ory's Creole Jazz Band*
Kid Ory's Creole Jazz Band 1955
1955
Teresa Brewer
A Good Man Is Hard To Find / It's Siesta Time
1955, ,
Vocal
Peggy Lloyd With Orchestra Under Direction Of Bill Stegmeyer
Nobody's Sweetheart
1954, 7", EP, Mono, Benida
George Wettling's Jazz Band
George Wettling's Jazz Band
1954
Preacher Rollo And His Five Saints*
At The Jazz Band Ball
1953, 2x7", EP, MGM Records
Lizzie Miles
A Good Man Is Hard To Find / Salty Dog
1953,
Beatrice Kay With Hugo Winterhalter And His Orchestra*
Beatrice Kay
1952, 4x Vinyl, Box Set, ,
Vocal
Bix Beiderbecke
The Bix Beiderbecke Story / Volume 2 - Bix And Tram
1952,
Dorothy Loudon Wth The Honky-Tonks
A Good Man Is Hard To Find / I Wanna Say Hello
1951
Wini Brown
A Good Man Is Hard To Find / This Is The Last Time (I'll Cry Over You)
1950, 10", Promo, Columbia
"Fats" Waller And His Rhythm*
A Good Man Is Hard To Find / The Girl I Left Behind Me
1950,
Cass Daley
A Good Man Is Hard To Find / All Right, Louie, Drop The Gun
1949, ,
Big Band
Al Dexter And His Troopers
Calamity Jane / A Good Man Is Hard To Find
1949
Les Brown And His Orchestra
Sentimental Journey
1947
Harry James And His Orchestra, Les Brown And His Orchestra
I'm Beginning To See The Light / A Good Man Is Hard To Find / Nickel Serenade
1945, Shellac, 12", V Disc, ,
Swing
Les Brown And His Orchestra
Bizet Has His Day / A Good Man Is Hard To Find
1944
Various
A Jam Session At Commodore, No.3
1940
"Fats" Waller And His Rhythm*
A Good Man Is Hard To Find / How Can You Face Me?
1939
Cliff Bruner's Texas Wanderers
The Right Key (But The Wrong Keyhole) / In The Blue Of The Night
1937, Shellac, 10", Decca
Wingy Mannone And His Orchestra*
Fancy Meeting You / A Good Man Is Hard To Find
1936, Shellac, 10", Bluebird (3)
The Original Wolverines*
Royal Garden Blues / A Good Man Is Hard To Find
1936
Milton Brown And His Brownies
St. Louis Blues / A Good Man Is Hard To Find
1935
Clarence Williams And His Orchestra
The Right Key But The Wrong Keyhole / She's Just Got A Little Bit Left
1933, Shellac, 10", Vocalion (2),
Willard Robison
'Taint So, Honey, 'Taint So / Deep River Blues
1928, Shellac, 10", Victor, ,
Vocal
Victoria Spivey
Your Worries Ain't Like Mine / A Good Man Is Hard To Find
1928, Shellac, 10", Okeh
Novelty Blue Boys
Deep River Blues / Loveless Love Blues
1928, Shellac, 10", Grey Gull,
Lizzie Miles
Second Hand Daddy / A Good Man Is Hard To Find
1928, Shellac, 10", Regal (3), ,
Vocal
Unknown Artist
Deep River Blues / The Poor Little Rich Girl
1928, Shellac, 10", Madison (3)
Andy Sannella And His Orchestra
Back In Your Own Back Yard / Deep River Blues
1928
Ted Lewis And His Band
I Ain't Got Nobody (And Nobody Cares For Me) / A Good Man Is Hard To Find
1928
Bessie Smith
Mean Old Bed Bug Blues / A Good Man Is Hard To Find
1927, Shellac, 10", Columbia
Piccadilly Revels Band
Deep River Blues / Varsity Yale Blues
1927, Shellac, 10", Columbia,
Sara Martin Accomp. By Clarence Williams' Blue Five
Take Your Black Bottom Outside / Cushion Foot Stomp
1927, Shellac, 10", Okeh, ,
Vocal
Sara Martin With Clarence Williams' Blue Five
Cushion Foot Stomp / Take Your Black Bottom Outside
1927, Shellac, 10", Okeh, ,
Vocal
Willard Robison / Deep River Orchestra
Deep River Blues / Darby Hicks "American Suite No. 3
1927
Clarence Williams' Washboard Five
Cushion Foot Stomp / Take Your Black Bottom Outside
1927
Sippie Wallace
I Am Leaving You / I've Stopped My Man
1926, Shellac, 10", Okeh
Willard Robison
The Birth Of The Blues / Deep River Blues
1926, Shellac, 10", Bro, Perfect (3), ,
Vocal
Willard Robison
Deep River Blues / The Devil Is Afraid Of Music
1926, Shellac, 10", Pathé Actuelle
Butterbeans & Susie / Butterbeans
I Can't Use You / A Married Man's A Fool
1925, Shellac, 10", Okeh, ,
Vocal
Virginia Liston
You've Got The Right Key, But The Wrong Keyhole / Bill Draw
1924, Shellac, 10", Okeh
Sara Martin And Clarence Williams' Blue Five
Atlanta Blues / Blind Man Blues
1923
Selvin's Orchestra*
In Shadowland / Yellow Dog Blues
1920, Shellac, 10", Emerson Records (2)
Marion Harris
A Good Man Is Hard To Find / For Johnny And Me
1919, Shellac, 10", Victor,
Louisiana Five
A Good Man Is Hard To Find / Heart Sickness Blues
1919, Shellac, 9", Medallion (2)
Les Brown, Glen Gray, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Harry James (2), Woody Herman
The Big Bands
6xLP, Album, Comp, Capitol Records, ,
Big Band
Clarence Williams And His Washboard Band*
1933/35 Volume 1
LP, Comp, Classic Jazz Masters (3)
Bruce Gray's Vintage Jazz Band
1973
LP, Album, Swaggie Records
"Fats" Waller And His Rhythm*
Complete Recordings Volume 16 (1939)
LP, Comp, RCA
Nancy Wilson
Hello Young Lovers
7", Jukebox, Capitol Records
Various
Memories Of The Roaring Twenties
5xLP, Comp + Box, Longines Symphonette Society, ,
Swing
Ernest Hare / Al Bernard
A Good Man Is Hard To Find / St. Louis Blues
Shellac, 10", Lyric Record
Mandy Rice-Davies
This is Mandy
7", EP, Columbia
Various
Jazz Masters 2
12xCD, Comp + Box, Tandem Verlag Audio Line, Flex Media Entertainment,
Jan Sutherland With Custer's Last Band
...And Other Bedtime Tales
Cass, Album, CLB Records (2), ,
Dixieland/Ragtime
Julia Garity And Her Boys / Boyd Senter And His Senterpedes*
A Good Man Is Hard To Find / Waterloo
Shellac, 10", Victor
Frank Sinatra
The Voice
Whitey Kaufman & His Orchestra
Deep River Blues / Tiny Town
Fats Waller
Here 'Tis
Various
Jazz Sounds Of The Twenties 4 (Blues Singers And Accompanists)
Frankie Trumbauer And His Orchestra
Cryin' All Day / A Good Man Is Hard To Find
Katie Crippen And Her Jazz Artists
Blind Man Blues / Sing 'Em For Mamma, Play 'Em For Me
Fats Waller
The Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 4 - New York, Chicago & Hollywood
2007, 4xCD, Comp, JSP Records, ,
Swing/Stride/Big Band
Fats Waller
The Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2 - A Handful Of Keys
2006, 4xCD, Comp, JSP Records, ,
Stride/Swing/Big Band
Various
Play Ball: Baseball's Greatest Hits, Skits, Songs, And Stories...
2003, CD, Comp, Direct Source Special Products Inc.
Various
The Jubilee Shows - No. 77 And No. 78
2001, CD, Comp, Mono, The Jubilee Shows
Various
The Best Of AFRS Jubilee Volume 14 No. 358 & 107
1996, CD, Comp, Rst Records
Various
The Best Of AFRS Jubilee Volume 4 No. 60 & 77
1995, CD, Comp, Mono, Rst Records
Various
The Best Of AFRS Jubilee, Volume 3 - No. 139 & 168
1995, CD, Comp, Rst Records
Various
The Best Of AFRS Jubilee, Volume 1 - No. 104 & 145
1995, CD, Comp, Rst Records
Various
Christmas Jubilee
1990, CD, Comp, Vintage Jazz Classics
Various
Souvenirs Of Hot Chocolates
1978, LP, Comp, Gat, Smithsonian Collection, Columbia Special Products
Various
Stars Over Broadway
LP, Star-Tone Records (2), ,
Dialogue/Musical
Brenda Lee
Grandma, What Great Songs You Sang! / Miss Dynamite
,
Vocal/Ballad