Instrumental | Public Domain 4U https://publicdomain4u.com MUSIC THAT STOOD THE TEST OF TIME Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:21:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars – “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue” https://publicdomain4u.com/louis-armstrong-all-his-stars-struttin-with-some-barbecue/ Fri, 20 Sep 2019 05:00:49 +0000 http://www.publicdomain2ten.com/?p=6563 Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars recorded “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue” in Chicago, Illinois on December 9, 1927. The moment was captured in a crisp recording that is as impressive as it is pure fun. Armstrong’s inspired composition and tight arrangement are brought to life by one of the hottest big bands of all time. Ripped to mp3 from a well preserved 78 RPM vinyl side, this ebullient instrumental classic is free to enjoy and share.

 

]]> 24474 Duke Ellington – “Louisiana” https://publicdomain4u.com/duke-ellington-louisiana/ Sat, 22 Dec 2018 10:32:44 +0000 http://www.publicdomain2ten.com/?p=123 Duke Ellington-PianoHere’s a magnificent recording of Duke Ellington’s orchestra performing “Louisiana.” Back then there was no such thing as an overdub, much less any auto-tune or fancy editing software. Heck, you even had to mix the record while you were playing it into one mic! These cats could play for real. What a joy to hear such craft and art, delivered with humor and heart.

]]> 24109 Alonzo Yancey – “Everybody’s Rag” https://publicdomain4u.com/alonzo-yancey-everybodys-rag/ Sat, 13 Oct 2018 05:00:07 +0000 http://www.publicdomain2ten.com/?p=403

Ragtime is known as “the music that got lost” – mostly because jazz stole its thunder and captured the public’s attention after 1917. Ragtime showcases brilliant pianists like Alonzo Yancey, the lesser known of the Yancey brothers. Alonzo, raised in Chicago, recorded “Everybody’s Rag” in 1943. He serves his piano straight up, and one can only imagine what it’s like to move your fingers as fast as this melody requires. A compelling and ferocious performance.

]]> 24469 EARLY JAZZ WITH A HAWAIIAN THEME https://publicdomain4u.com/early-jazz-with-a-hawaiian-theme/ Mon, 02 Apr 2018 18:27:33 +0000 http://publicdomain4u.com/?p=32227

Any 78 record collector has seen the name of Ben Selvin, who might have been the most prolific band leader of the 78 RPM record era. He also voiced early opposition to radio. This song “Don’t Say Aloha, When I Go” is early jazz at its best. This song has been recorded by many. This version by The Columbians is by far the most noteworthy. There is so much I don’t know about this version, but it’s great.

Ben Selvin

]]> 32227 Tiny Parham And His Musicians – “Washboard Wiggles” https://publicdomain4u.com/tiny-parham-and-his-musicians-washboard-wiggles-instrumental-jazz-mp3 Wed, 15 Apr 2015 01:09:24 +0000 http://www.publicdomain2ten.com/?p=289 tiny-parhamBorn in Canada in 1900, keyboardist and composer Hartzel “Tiny” Parham grew up mostly in Kansas City. As a young man, Parham relocated to Chicago where he established himself as a bandleader and also worked as an arranger and talent scout for Paramount Records. He cut numerous sides for Victor Records, under the name Tiny Parham and His Musicians. Here is one of those classic sides, the ebullient and musically very advanced “Washboard Wiggles.” You had to be on your toes to keep up with this cat, and they were, and they did! Enjoy.

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]]> 24157 Syd Valentine’s Patent Leather Kids – “Rock And Gravel” https://publicdomain4u.com/syd-valentines-patent-leather-kids-rock-gravel-instrumental-jazz-ragtime-mp3-music-download Thu, 20 Nov 2014 01:02:36 +0000 http://www.publicdomain2ten.com/?p=577 Syd Valentine's Patent Leather KidsThis uptempo instrumental romp from Syd Valentine’s Patent Leather Kids features some expert piano, banjo, and trumpet work. The players perform solo and together in a tightly arrangement they called “Rock And Gravel.” Hailing from Indianpolis, Indiana, the group’s main personnel were Syd Valentine, James Helm and Paul George. When the trio played live however, they often had as many as ten pieces in their orchestra. They recorded six songs accompanying Blues singer Hattie Snow, and a few more instrumentals on their own, on the same day that this number was recorded. Enjoy!

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]]> 24222 Clifford Hayes’ Louisville Stompers – “Dance Hall Shuffle” https://publicdomain4u.com/clifford-hayes-louisville-stompers-dance-hall-shuffle-instrumental-jug-music-mp3-download Wed, 05 Nov 2014 01:54:56 +0000 http://www.publicdomain2ten.com/?p=574 Clifford Hayes Earl Macdonald Jug MusicAnother important figure in early Jug Music, Clifford Hayes was born in 1895 in Glasgow, Kentucky. Hayes played fiddle with the Earl McDonald Jug Band in nearby Louisville, the birthplace of Jug music. He later started his own band, and recorded with Sarah Martin and other notables. Jug music was a huge social and musical phenomenon in the late 19th and early 20th century, which happened to coincide with the dawn of recorded music. We are fortunate to have these clear audio glimpses into the past, and “Dance Hall Shuffle” more than lives up to its name. Such a great ensemble performance of piano, guitar, banjo, washboard, fiddle and the kitchen sink.

]]> 24221 Harvey Brooks Quality Four – “Frankie And Johnny” https://publicdomain4u.com/harvey-brooks-quality-four-frankie-johnny-instrumental-jazz-mp3-download Thu, 09 Oct 2014 01:08:37 +0000 http://www.publicdomain2ten.com/?p=580 Named after the Quality Cafe in Los Angeles, Harvey Brooks Quality Four was one of several bands formed by pianist Harvey Brooks with clarinet and sax man, Paul Howard. Here is their instrumental version of the classic American murder ballad, “Frankie and Johnny.” This song has been recorded and released both vocally and instrumentally a whopping 256 times at least, by a who’s-who of music greats from America and around the world. This was one of the first.

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]]> 24223 Paddy Killoran – “Sligo Maid’s Lament” https://publicdomain4u.com/paddy-killoran-sligo-maids-lament-sligo-instruental-folk-music-mp3-download Fri, 30 May 2014 01:14:25 +0000 http://www.publicdomain2ten.com/?p=358 Sligo is a form of lively folk music which takes its name from the county and town of Sligo on the west coast of Ireland. Paddy Killoran, one of the biggest names in Sligo, was born there in 1904. He emigrated to the United States in the 1920’s and embarked upon a prolific recording and performing career. “Sligo Maid’s Lament” was one of his popular 78 RPM sides. Sligo music is alive and well today, and if you like it as much as we do, have a look at sligomusic.ie for more info on the history of Sligo, and about contemporary and early Sligo artists.

]]> 24175 The Blue Boys (Hayes and Prater) – “Easy Winner” https://publicdomain4u.com/blue-boys-hayes-prater-easy-winner-string-band-ragtime-instrumental-music-mp3-download Fri, 04 Apr 2014 01:29:54 +0000 http://www.publicdomain2ten.com/?p=371 Guitarist Napoleon “Nap” Hayes and mandolinist Matthew Prater recorded this instrumental gem in Memphis, Tennessee in February of 1928. “Easy Winner” combined elements of ragtime and blues into a string band format, borrowing freely from Scott Joplin’s most famous piece, “The Entertainer.” Though biographical information about Hayes and Prater is scarce, we do know they performed as the Blue Boys and also as the Johnson Boys, leaving behind a handful of brilliant instrumental recordings on the Document Records label for us to enjoy.

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