The Red Hotters w/ Harry Raderman - Too Many Mammas ~1925

Harry Raderman was born on September 28, 1882 in Odessa, Russia (now Ukraine), and came to American with his parents in 1893, residing in Bronx, New York. When young, he took a liking to the trombone, and led to his first music gig playing in Klezmer bands around his area of town. According to the 1905, he was living with his uncle at the time, who was known to be a musician by profession, performing in local theaters and orchestras. His time playing vaudeville and theaters led him to figure out what audiences liked and disliked and he was bent on coming up with a new sound, his sound. In 1917, Raderman found his "thing", the thing that set him apart, which he dubbed the "Laughing Trombone".
Around the same time, Earl Fuller was looking to form a Jazz band for Rector's Restaurant on Broadway. He had already hired the already famed Ted Lewis, who went on a search for a trombonist for the new band. His search was over when he met Raderman. The band worked a treat for bringing in patrons, eager to hear the band perform as their reputation spread via word-of-mouth. Even in media, both Ted and Harry were praised as excellent musicians in their field.
On the recording side of things, Victor, having just lost the very popular "Original Dixieland Jazz Band" to a rival label, were in quick need to fill that hole, and on June 4, 1917, introduced the world to "Earl Fuller's Famous Jazz Band", which started a whole new era for Harry. Not only was he performing at Rector's and recording for Victor, but he also did freelance work and odd jobs for years, even taking the job as band leader himself, working under a number of names such as Harry Raderman´s Jazz Orchestra, Harry Raderman's Orchestra, Raderman´s Dance Orchestra, Raderman's Radio Orchestra, OKeh Syncopators, Raderman's Novelty Orchestra, Raderman's Roysterers, and the "Plantation Dance Orchestra". Today's song just happens to be one of those led by Raderman. It's called "Too Many Mammas", originally written by Billy Tracey and Jack Stanley, and performed here by Harry's band, the Red Hotters, featuring Harry on trombone (and also directing), Jules Berkman on trumpet, Larry Abbott on either clarinet or saxophone, as well as others to complete the band. The song was recorded in New York City on August 21, 1925.
Raderman was no one trick pony though, just comfortably falling back to his Klezmer roots and even putting out eastern European records that would be more appealing to fellow Russian emigrants. Unfortunately, Harry's style of jazz wasn't keeping up with what the public wanted, and he was booked less and less to record. He and Ted Lewis still performed and recorded often together, providing adequate income for both of their families. 1927 saw Raderman leave for Britain to join Bert Ambrose for his new band in London. He would even record with Ambrose, but on drums instead of his trademark instrument.
In 1931, he made his last recording with the Ted Lewis orchestra. He once again turned to freelance work, playing small gigs for dance classes, public gatherings etc. He was last mentioned in newspapers around 1936, shortly before Phil Belfer took over directing the Gotham Dance Orchestra. Raderman would pass away on November 9, 1940.

[@ajSammut123]

Great record! Great photo too. Is that Raderman's band?

[@MusicToYourEars78]

It's a good tune! And If you're talking about the octet in the video background, that's actually from a stint he did playing in Jack Shilkret's band toward the end of 1924