Levee Loungers - Doin’ The Racoon ~1928

Samuel Charles Lanin was born in 1891 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was one of ten children. He learned to play the clarinet and violin while just a boy and in 1912 at the age of 21, he was offered a spot in Victor Herbert’s orchestra. After World War 1 ended, he moved to New York City in hopes to expand his career. He very well did, landing a gig at the Roseland Ballroom in later 1918 where he established the Roseland Orchestra. This was the start of his recording career as well, producing recordings for Columbia in the early 1920’s. Through his recording career, he played with a vast number of ensembles under names like Lanin’s Jazz Band, Lanin’s Arcadians, Lanin’s Famous Players, Lanin’s Southern Serenaders, Lanin’s Red Heads, Sam Lanin’s Dance Ensemble, and Lanin’s Arkansas Travelers. Although a pattern appears to be emerging, he did NOT always give himself top-billing in his acts (Ladd’s Black Aces, The Broadway Bell-Hops, The Westerners, The Pillsbury Orchest