Luckey Roberts

Luckey Roberts

Source: All Music

Born Charles Luckyth Roberts (not a typo) on 7 August 1887 in Philadelphia, ragtime and stride pianist, Luckey Roberts, played in minstrel shows as a child. Stride piano didn't arrive until James Price Johnson at the opening of the Roaring Twenties. Boppinbob at From the Vaults (below) believes Roberts' first published composition to be 'The African 400' ('An Educated Rag') in 1909, recorded by Arthur Pryor on 7 December 1909 in Camden, NJ, for issue on Victor 16444 [DAHR]. About 1910 Roberts made New York City his home to become one of Harlem's favorite pianists. Going by DAHR one finds his composition, 'Junk-Man Rag', first recorded by Fred Van Eps on 6 Sep 1913 for issue on Columbia A1417. Roberts also composed 'Pork and Beans' that year. On 26 October 1916 he recorded 'Shoo Fly' and 'Shy and Sly' in his own name for Columbia, neither issued. Roberts played with James Reese Europe's Hellfighters band in Europe during World War I. Upon his return to the States he worked largely as a composer, formed a band that would become an orchestra, and made more piano rolls.

In 1919 he produced the piano rolls 'Railroad Blues' (Vocalstyle 11356) in April, 'Irresistible Blues' (Vocalstyle 11463) in September and 'Blue Fever' (Vocalstyle 11490) in December. Roberts composed all titles featured on this page.

'Railroad Blues'    Piano roll by Luckey Roberts

Recorded April 1919   Vocalstyle 11356

'Blue Fever'    Piano roll by Luckey Roberts

Recorded Dec 1919   Vocalstyle 11490

Roberts' first of three Broadway musicals, 'Go-Go', opened on 12 March for a run into July. Lyrics for that were written by Alex C. Rogers, as were their next two Broadway shows, 'Sharlee' from November into December of 1923 and 'My Magnolia' in July of 1926.

Roberts punched 'Rosetime and You' (QRS 2287) and 'Mo'lasses' (QRS 2306) in 1923. DAHR and Discogs pick him up on 78 rpm shellac in 1923 per 'Hard Times' / 'Mamie' (Victor 19359) recorded with Eddie Hunter. Roberts and Hunter put away 'Bootlegger's Ball' / 'I'm Done' (Victor 19247) on the same date for release in 1924.

Roberts doesn't appear to have made any recordings during the thirties, staying busy with his orchestra with which he had long since become accustomed to performing at events for a social class that could afford to hire big bands, such as the Duke of Windsor. Though Roberts never placed a title on the popularity charts, his composition with Kim Gannon (lyrics), 'Moonlight Cocktail', was recorded by the Glenn Miller Orchestra on 8 December 1941 toward Bluebird 11401 and a #1 position on Billboard charts.

Roberts opened his nightclub in Harlem, Luckey's Rendezvous, in 1942, remaining in business until 1954. During that period he recorded several tiles in 1946 including 'Railroad Blues' (Circle J-1026) and 'Shy and Sly' (Circle J-1028). Discogs has four of those released in 1956 on 'Harlem Party Piano' (Riverside Records RLP 1056), that with James P. Johnson on A side. In January and February of 1947 Roberts joined the 'This Is Jazz' radio broadcasts at WOR Studios in New York City with such as Albert Nicholas at clarinet, George Brunies on trombone and Baby Dodds at drums toward what would see issue in 1996 as 'This Is Jazz' on Jazzology JCD-1025/26. Dates for Circle below are after Bob Edwards.

'Moonlight Cocktail'    Luckey Roberts

Recorded 9 Feb 1942 in NYC   Victor 27810

'Junk Man Rag'    Luckey Roberts

Recorded 22 May 1946 in NYC   Circle J-1026

'Railroad Blues'    Luckey Roberts

Recorded 22 May 1946 in NYC   Circle J-1026

'Pork and Beans'    Luckey Roberts

Recorded 22 May 1946 in NYC   Circle J-1027

'Ripples of the Nile'    Luckey Roberts

Recorded 22 May 1946 in NYC   Circle J-1028

In 1958 Roberts strung along a set of titles getting issued on 'Luckey & The Lion: Harlem Piano' by Good Time Jazz in 1960 [Discogs], that with Willie the Lion Smith on B side.

'Nothin''    Luckey Roberts

Recorded 18 March 1958 in NYC   Album: 'Luckey & The Lion: Harlem Piano'   1960

Roberts was among a very few rich musicians in his day, that from real estate investments rather than performing music. Though he worked in every environment welcome to alcohol, he himself didn't drink. He died thus plump and wise in New York City on 5 February 1958, bridging ragtime through stride piano to jazz.