Luckey Roberts

Life and career Childhood with traveling Vaudeville acts Sources:

Luckey Roberts was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States,

"Shoo Fly" (c. 1910s) "The Junk Man Rag" was subsequently published both as an instrumental (piano) solo and as a song (with lyrics by Chris Smith (composer) (1879–1949) and Ferd E. Mierisch (fl. 1911–1914), by Jos. W. Stern & Co., 102-104 W. 38th St., N.Y., 1913 Roberts sheet music was often annotated as being 'simplified' since the complex ornamentation and decoration that he and the other ragtime performers embellished into their pieces were not easily scored or played by others. Fortunately, there are existing recordings and piano rolls of Roberts and contemporaries performing "The Junk Man Rag". YouTube: Junk Man Rag (1914) played by the composer YouTube: C. Luckyth Roberts The Junk Man Rag 1910s piano roll on 1912 by pump player piano artist Artis Wodehouse. This Piano roll was arranged and played by Leland Stanford Roberts (1884–1949) (aka Stanford Robar) on a 1912 foot-pump player piano. YouTube: Lucky Roberts "Junk Man Rag" the original Connorized Piano roll played on the W. W. Kimball player piano at the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site, St. Louis, MO

Library of Congress Audio Recording: The junk-man rag, one-step or two-step, performed by the Victor Military Band on November 11, 1913 Library of Congress Audio Recording: Junk man rag with Fred Van Eps as solo banjo player and orchestra recorded September 6, 1913 YouTube: Junk Man Rag (1913) - Very early hand-played Piano roll Junk Man Rag, recorded in 1913 in Chicago as a duet by Sallie Heibronner and Mabel Avery Cripe (born in 1879 and 1881, respectively). Features syncopated embellishments in the primo part. A complete analysis of Roberts work would therefore necessarily entail an in-depth analysis of the published scores, a study of any existing piano rolls (which don't always capture the dynamics) and recordings (which at the time had difficulty capturing rapid embellishments), as well as a consideration of interviews and contemporary commentary which give insight into the performance improvisation and reading the room whether for stage performance, a cutting competition, or private dance entertainment.

Named for one of his favorite dishes, Luckey Roberts published "Pork and Beans" on June 24, 1913, and recorded the work in May 1946.

Roberts next big hit was "Pork and Beans", annotated as a One-Step or Two-Step and recognized as a Fox Trot, and an early example of Stride (music) style. Some notable recordings of "Pork and Beans" exist at the Library of Congress and on YouTube: YouTube: "Pork and Beans" (1913) YouTube: "Pork and Beans" played by James P. Johnson YouTube: Pork and Beans, Charles Luckeyth Roberts (1913) - Piano Roll (Scott Joplin House, rec. 2012) YouTube: Donald Lambert Plays Luckey Roberts' Pork And Beans 1961 (Fast Stride Piano Synthesia). This is the first track on the International Association of Jazz Record Collectors (IAJ2RC) LP 23, and was recorded in Wallace's Hill Tavern, West Orange, NJ, on August 21, 1961. Lambert plays in key of F♯ minor, then F♯(=G♭) major for the trio. Library of Congress Audio: Pork and beans, composed by Luckey Roberts. Dance Music: Fox trot. Performed by the Rector Novelty Orchestra led by Earl Fuller Sheet music online: Pork and Beans, One Step-Two Step or Turkey Trot. By C. Luckyth Roberts. Composer of "The Junk Man" Copyright 1913 by Jos. W. Stern & Co. https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu/sites/default/files/collection-pdfs/levy-172-065.pdf

From 1911 to 1919, among other work, Roberts served as the music director with producers Homer Tutt and Salem Tutt Whitney in their Southern Smart Set Company, an off-broadway troupe, that produced the Smart Set musical comedy

"Keep On Smiling"

Darkest Americans (1919), The Music Box Rag Jaudas' Society Orchestra with Eugene A. Jaudas (conductor) recorded Feb. 2, 2015 on Edison Label.

"Tremelo Trot" (1914)

"Palm Beach" (1915), published by Joseph W. Stern

Helter Skelter, One Step Polka (1915)

"Blue Fever" (1919) Roberts toured France and the UK with James Reese Europe during World War I.

"When the 'Yanks' Yank the 'Germ' out of 'German'" (1918) a ragtime march. Composed by Luckey Roberts with Lyrics by Alex Rogers and Lester A. Walton. (unpublished handwritten monograph).

"The Navy Blues" (1918) a ragtime march. Composed by Luckey Roberts with Lyrics by Alex Rogers and Lester A. Walton. (unpublished handwritten monograph; copyrighted 1918 by McCarthy & Fisher Inc. 224 West 46th St. New York, N.Y.).

Through these associations he became an occasional performer for the Vernon and Irene Castle dance team. In 1923, the Shuffle Inn moved to basement next door to the Lafayette Theatre and was renamed Connie's Inn.

Sheet music cover for "Railroad Blues", a song composed by C. Luckeyth Roberts with lyrics by Howard Washington and Haven Gillespie, edited by Roy Bargy, published by Van Alstyne and Curtis, Chicago (1920).

Roberts 1920s hit "Railroad Blues", a fox trot, was published and recorded for solo piano, as a song with vocalist and piano, and as an orchestration. In "Railroad Blues", Roberts mimics the sounds of a train using his stride (music) techniques: Roberts punched a Piano Roll of "Railroad Blues" for the Vocalstyle company in 1919.

Sheet Music: "Railroad Blues" a song with Lyrics by Howard Washington and Haven Gillespie, edited by Roy Bargy, published by Van Alstyne and Curtis, Chicago (1920). Library of Congress Audio File: "Railroad Blues", Arranged by Roy Bargy for orchestra. Recorded on Victor Label on September 32, 1920, as performed by Benson Orchestra of Chicago featuring Matthew Amaturo (clarinet, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone), Rick Adkins (trumpet), Thomas Thatcher (tenor saxophone), Roy Bargy (piano, orchestra conductor), Guy Carey (Trombone), Joe Baum (Violin), Joe Miller (Banjo), and William Foeste (Bass Saxophone). Railroad Blues performed by Harry Raderman's Jazz Orchestra, Edison Cylinder Recording: Edison 4156

His other 1920s notable solo works with various lyricists include: "Tallahassee" as well as radio comedy shows. Many of their successful numbers were performed by famous show celebrities include They wrote successful numbers for such famous show folk as Molly Williams, Nora Bayes, Bert Williams, Al Jolson, Sophie Tucker, and Marie Cahill. "Two black crows Part 4" (Nov. 7, 1927) "Two black crows Part 7" (Dec. 23, 1927) "Elder Eatmore's Sermon On Throwing Stones" (Dec. 21, 1927)

Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals

Shy and Sly (1915) Synopsis: Jack Locksmith (Bernard Granville), a young doughboy in World War I, falls passionately in love with Isabelle Parker (Josephine Stevens), a nurse treating wounded in France. After the war, he searches for her hometown New York City, only to confuse her identity with Florence Parker (also played by Stevens) and becomes disillusioned by this new personality. Eventually, their boyfriends learn that they are identical twins and all is resolved and happy. Reviewers loved the show and lasted 4 months on Broadway. The numbers below with "**" were also published as sheet music by Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., Inc., Corner of Broadway & 47th Street, New York, 1923:

"New York Town" "Doggone Whippoorwill" "Good Bye, Honey Falls" "Have You Any Little Thing" "Any Old Time at All" "I'm Scared of You" "Rosetime and You" Synopis: Manhattan cabaret performer Sharlee Saunders (Juliette Day), gives up both her successful career and the affection a wealthy man to marry a live in the country where she marries a young man who turns out to be untrustworthy. Numbers included: "Loving is a Habit" "Sharlee" "Little Drops of Water" "Princess Nicotine" "Heart Beats" "Cry Baby" "Love Today" "Broadway Rose" "Toodle Oo" "My Caveman - My Venus" "My Sunshine" "Love is the Bunk" "Honeymoon Row" "Daddy" (not listed in program) a musical comedy with book and lyrics by Alex Rogers and Eddie Hunter, which opened at the Sam H. Harris Theater and starred Adelaide Hall, a major black revue star. Producers: Alex Rogers, Luckey Roberts. Book, Lyrics: Alex Rogers. Music: Luckey Roberts. Dances: Charley Davis. Cast of Characters: Synopsis: A group of friends and family moved "with disturbing frequency" throughout New York City's Harlem clubs, Hotel Strutt, the corner of Lenox Avenue and 135th Street, the "Gallopin’ Dominoes" Association, a railroad station in Jersey City, and end in New Orleans residence. To compare the performance to modern comedy, it was somewhat of a Seinfeld show about nothing, but situations wherein comedians can interact in a series of sketches. In summary, based on a book by Alex Rogers and Eddie Hunter, the show was a revenue with setting was in and around Harlem's Black Belt in New York and New Orleans. Although reviewers criticized it as a comedy musical, saying the plot was long and rambling and Eddie Hunter was not amusing, newspapers delighted in the performers dance and music: "amazingly fast and expert dancing numbers" were rewarded with "unusual demonstrations of approbation";: "The chorus of men and women, individually and collectively, seemed to look upon dancing as a breath of life. They performed Charlestons, taps, and other convolutions with frenzied expertness."; "There are one or two good tunes by C. Luckey Roberts as other items for the credit side of the ledger." Despite the Broadway reviews, the musical was performed for 20 weeks on Vaudeville circuits with the title Strutting Time. The numbers below with "**" were also published as sheet music by published in 1926 by the Rogers & Roberts publishing company, Suite 309, Navex Building, 225 West 46th Street, New York City, NY.

Numbers included: "At Your Service" "Baby Mine" "Shake Your Duster" "Pay Day" "Magnolia" "Hard Times" "Spend It" "Jazz Land Ball" "Laugh Your Blues Away" "Gallopin' Dominoes" "Headin' South" "Merry Christmas" "Struttin' Time" "Our Child" "Gee Chee" "Sundown Serenade" "Parade of the Christmas Dinner" "Baby Wants" "The Oof Dah Man" "Sweet Popopper"

Sadie Lou (1928) announced, but lacks clear record of whether or not it was performed.

Hit singles

Among the hit singles with music by Roberts and lyrics by Rogers were: "The Robin and the Red, Red Rose" (1915) Library of Congress Audio: "Rockaway" performed by Irving Kaufman (singer) (tenor) on Columbia Label on August 8, 1917.

"My Little Hush-a-bye Lady" (1920) "I'm done" recorded on Victor Label Dec. 17, 1923, featuring Luckey Roberts (piano instrumentalist), Alex Rogers (vocalist), and Eddie Hunter (performer) (vocalist) "Entangled, part 1" a Monologue, with male vocal quartet and piano, recorded July 19, 1922 on Victor B-26700, performed by Alex Rogers, Tennessee Four, and Luckey Roberts (piano) "Entangled, part 2" a Monologue, with male vocal quartet and piano, recorded July 19, 1922 on Victor B-26700, performed by Alex Rogers, Tennessee Four, and Luckey Roberts (piano) although generally the entire show music is credited to David Stamper.

The records are scarce for determining exactly which comedy routines written by Roberts and Rogers were performed in the Ziegfeld Follies by comedians like Bert Williams and Eddie Cantor, but their comedy sketches featuring Eddie Hunter are representative. For example, Bert Williams performed "Elder Eatmore's Sermon".

Around August 1927, Florenz Ziegfeld hired Rogers and Roberts to select and work with a chorus of 40 performers for Show Boat. Roberts frequently helped New York Society ladies with charity entertainment both by performing at charity events and by instructing society ladies in dance for their own benefit performances.

More than 100 guests was a dinner-dance enjoyed Roberts playing in the dining salon and then on the top deck of the floating hotel, Amphitrite, at a party given by Mrs. James Deering in honor of Princess Rospigliosi. In addition to playing the piano and leading his band, Roberts would sometimes dance for guests, with mentions of such at parties of Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt 2d particularly noted in newspapers.

Among his students were Mr. and Mrs. Joshua S. Cosden, Mrs. Louis G. Kaufman, Mrs. William K. Dick (Madeleine Force, the former widow Mrs. John Jacob Astor), Mrs. Theodore Frelinghuysen, Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. Hutton, Countess Salm, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. O'Brien, Florenz Ziegfeld, Billie Burke, wife of Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., Harold Vanderbilt, Mrs. A. J. Drexel Jr. and Major and Mrs. Barclay Warburton, Mrs. Frederick Frelinghuysen, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Breese, Mrs. Ernest Gagne, Rodman Wanamaker, Paris Singer, Mrs. Edward Shearson, Mrs. Gurne Munn, and Marilyn Miller.

Roberts returned to New York after the season, and resumed teaching society there alongside Paul Bass. Grace Robinson, of the New York Times wrote:

“Magnolia” was linked to the Charleston dance style and enjoyed popularity among the elite residents in Fifth Avenue, creating royalty streams for the song’s co-composers, Lucky Roberts and Paul Bass. Eleanore Roosevelt (Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt) was among his patrons.