Clifford Hayes, a shadowy figure in jazz history and blues music, was a violinist but was much more important as a leader in recording sessions. He recorded with Sara Martin (1924), and often teamed with Cal Smith as a banjoist in early jug bands such as the Old Southern Jug Band and Clifford’s Louisville Jug Band. Also, Hayes’ Louisville Stompers (1927-1929) were among his most well-known jug groups. The Dixieland Jug Blowers recorded a session with Johnny Dodds as clarinetist. Earl Hines, a pianist, was a star with the primitive Louisville Stompers (a jugless group that featured Hayes’ violin and Hense Grundy’s trombone). Clifford Hayes’ final recordings were made in 1931. All of his sessions, plus those of other jug bands, are available on four RST discs. Allmusic
