Eva Taylor was a talented entertainer and Blues singer and was one of the first African-American singers to be heard on radio. She started out as child actor in a traveling revue that toured the world visiting Europe, Australia and New Zealand between 1900 and 1920. In 1920 she moved to New York City, where she became a popular singer in the night clubs of Harlem. The following year she married pianist, publisher and producer Clarence Williams. The couple collaborated on many projects, including dozens of songs, a musical revue called "Bottomland", and radio programs. They remained married until Williams' death in 1965. In 1922 Taylor made her first record for the African-American owned Black Swan label, who billed her as "The Dixie Nightingale". She would continue to record dozens of Blues, Jazz and popular sides for Okeh and Columbia thoughout the 1920s and 1930s. She was the lead singer on several of Williams' classic Blue Five recording dates, including the famous sessions that brought Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet together in 1924 and 1925. During the late 1920s Eva had her own radio show on NBC in New York. She retired from show business in the early 1940s, but continued to make occasional concert and night club appearances. The actor Clarence Williams III of Mod Squad fame is Eva and Clarence's grandson.

Eva Taylor and Clarence Williams Band Irene Gibbons and her Jazz Band
The Riffers Eva Taylor's Southernaires
Eva Taylor accompanied by Clarence Williams' Blue Five
Irene Gibbons accompanied by Clarence Williams' Jazz Band
Title Recording Date Recording Location Company
Baby Won't You Please Come Home
(Charles Warfield / Clarence Williams)
11-25-1922 New York, New York Okeh
4740
Barefoot Blues
(Clarence Williams)
5-30-1923 New York, New York Okeh
8073-A
Cast Away
(J. Brown / S. Easton / J. Stewart)
3-4-1925 New York, New York Okeh
40330
Church Street Sobbing Blues
(Anton Lada / Yellow Nuņez / Joe Cawley)
5-21-1923 New York, New York Okeh
8069
Do It Again Long Time Papa
(W. Benton Overstreet)
5-30-1923 New York, New York Okeh
8073-B
Down Hearted Blues
(Lovie Austin / Alberta Hunter)
1-10-1923 New York, New York Okeh
8047-A
Farewell Blues
(Elmer Schoebel / Paul Mares / Leon Roppolo)
5-18-1923 New York, New York Okeh
3055
From Now On Blues
(J.C. Johnson / Roland Irving)
5-18-1923 New York, New York Okeh
8069
Gulf Coast Blues
(Clarence Williams)
5-18-1923 New York, New York Okeh
3055
Happy Days and Lonely Nights New York, New York Okeh
8665
Have You Ever Felt That Way?
(Castleton / Clarence Williams / Centralto)
New York, New York Edison
52646-L
Hesitation Blues
with Sara Martin

(Billy Smythe / Scott Middleton)
7-7-1923 New York, New York Okeh
8082
I'm Going Away Just To Wear You Off My Mind
(Charlie Johnson / Warren Smith / Lloyd Smith)
2-12-1923 New York, New York Okeh
8050-B
If You Want The Rainbow
(You Must Have Rain)

(Rose / Dixon / Levant)
New York, New York Okeh
8665
I'm Gonna See You When You Come
(Jonathan Spikes / Benjamin Spikes)
5-29-1923 New York, New York Okeh
8068
Irresistible Blues
(George E. Jefferson)
New York, New York Okeh
8129
I Wish I Could Shimmy Like Sister Kate
(A.J. Piron)
11-25-1922 New York, New York Okeh
4740
Jazzin Babies Blues New York, New York Okeh
8129
Last Go Round Blues.
(Cox)
2-7-1923 New York, New York Columbia A3834
May We Meet Again
(Eva Taylor / Clarence Williams)
11-4-1927 New York, New York Okeh
8518
Midnight Blues
(A Wee Hour Chant)

(Babe Thompson / Spencer Williams)
New York, New York Victor 19124-A
My Different Kind Of Man
(Jack Palmer / Clarence Williams)
7-31-1928 New York, New York Okeh
41104
My Pillow And Me
(Tim Brymn / Chris Smith / Clarence Williams)
1-1923 New York, New York Columbia A3834
My Pillow And Me
(Tim Brymn / Chris Smith / Clarence Williams)
2-17-1923 New York, New York Oke
8051
New Moon
(Clarence Williams)
9-1922 New York, New York Black Swan
2103-B
Nobody But My Baby Is Getting My Love
(Clarence Williams / Andy Razaf)
New York, New York Okeh
Old Fashioned Love
(From the musical comedy "Runnin' Wild")

(James P. Johnson / Cecil Mack)
New York, New York Okeh
8114-A
Open Your Heart New York, New York Okeh
8114-B
Papa De Da-da
(Clarence Williams / Clarence Todd / Spencer Williams)
3-4-1925 New York, New York Okeh
40330
She's Gone To Join The Songbirds In Heaven
(Porter Grainger)
11-4-1927 New York, New York Okeh
8518
That Da-Da Strain
(Dowell)
1-1923 New York, New York Columbia A3834
That Free And Easy Papa O' Mine
with Sara Martin
7-7-1923 New York, New York Okeh
8082
12th Street Rag
(Euday L. Bowman)
2-17-1923 New York, New York Okeh
8051
West End Blues
(Clarence Williams / King Oliver)
New York, New York Edison
52646-R
What Makes Me Love You So
(Fred Longshaw / Clarence Williams)
New York, New York Victor
V-38575-B
Yodeling Blues
with Sara Martin

(Clarence Williams)
5-4-1923 New York, New York Okeh
8067
You Don't Understand
(J. Johnson / Clarence Williams / Spencer Williams)
New York, New York Victor
V-38575-A
You'll Never Have No Luck By Quittin' Me
(Harvey Porter / Jonathan Spikes / Benjamin Spikes)
5-29-1923 New York, New York Okeh
8068
You're A Real Sweetheart
(Friend / Caesar)
7-31-1928 New York, New York Okeh
41104
You Can Have My Man
(If He Come To See You Too)

(Libby Williams Mehr)
2-12-1923 New York, New York Okeh
8050-A
You Missed A Good Woman When You Picked All Over Me 1-10-1923 New York, New York Okeh
8047
Artist Instrument
Gavin Bushell Clarinet
Buddy Christian Banjo
Johnny Dunn Trumpet
Ernest Elliot Clarinet
Charlie Irvis TRombone
Sara Martin Vocals
Tom Morris Trumpet
Clarence Williams Piano, Vocals