Playing Close to the Alabama Vest

In 1842 clockmaker, Thaddeus von Clegg, met musician Alabama Vest in Macon, Georgia. Vest wanted an instrument made to his exact specifications. Von Clegg undertook the task producing the kazoo as we know it.

Altering the human voice by stretching a membrane across the opening of an animal horn or hollow reed dates to prehistory. These mirlitons, classified as membranophones, produce sound through the vibration of a membrane. Kazoos are singing membranophones - the only non-drum instrument in this classification.

Alabama Vest is legendary in the kazoo's who's who. Oddly except for the clockmaker's tale, there is no evidence that this mysterious musician ever existed. Von Clegg sold kazoos as a sideline until his fateful meeting with traveling salesman, Emil Zorg. He "borrowed" the design and in 1916 started the Original American Kazoo Company, which exists to this day.

The kazoo achieved its acme in the 1920s. From juvenile marching bands, to college campuses, to Paul Whiteman's Orchestra, the kazoo was as ubiquitous as the speakeasy. Over time, the instrument was banished to the toy chest. Cue the Jug Band Craze.

During the early 60s jug bands sprang up across the country. Boston had the Jim Kweskin Jug Band, New York City had the Even Dozen Jug Band, San Francisco had Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions.

Being of questionable talent, I adapted well to the jug band's relaxed musicality. Enlisting a group of gadabouts, we performed at parties and coffee houses as the Pass The Jug Band. Gone are those halcyon days, but January 28 is National Kazoo Day. So, tune up the ol'6-string, dust off the tin kazoo and launch into Jesse Fuller's San Francisco Bay Blues. - as ever BB

"Willy goes into a dance and doubles on kazoo." - Down on the Corner, Creedence Clearwater Revival