Jones & Collins Astoria Hot Eight

The Jones & Collins Astoria Hot Eight took their name from the bandleaders, Lee Collins and David Jones, and from the "Astoria Gardens" dance hall of the Astoria Hotel on Rampart Street in New Orleans, where they were the house band between 1928 and 1929.

The ensemble recorded only once, at the Italian Hall in New Orleans on December 15, 1929. A total of four sides were released from these sessions: "Astoria Strut" b/w "Duet Stomp", issued on Victor Records, and "Damp Weather" b/w "Tip Easy Blues", issued on Bluebird Records. Alternative takes of Damp Weather and Tip Easy Blues survived to appear on reissues decades later.

Lee Collins - cornet
David Jones - tenor saxophone
Nat Story - trombone (does not play on the recording)
Big Eye Louis Nelson - clarinet (does not play on the recording)
Sidney Arodin - clarinet; substituting for Nelson on the recording session.
Theodore Purnell - alto saxophone
Joseph Robichaux - piano
Emanuel Sayles - banjo
Al Morgan - double bass
Joe Strode (Joe Stouger) - drums