Isham Jones became a prolific songwriter but not until his orchestra was already established as one of the most popular dance bands of the ’20s and early ’30s. Although his band sometimes played music in the “jazz” style, it was generally known for its “sweet” music. Jones hired the best musicians. His band at times featured Pee Wee Erwin, Jack Jenny, Woody Herman, and arranger Gordon Jenkins.

The band’s initial success was in Chicago where they recorded exclusively and frequently for the Brunswick label over a ten-year period. Their first hit was “Wabash Blues” in 1921, the same year that they appeared in Ziegfeld’s Midnight Frolic. They toured in the U.S. and England in 1924, settling in New York the following year. Isham apparently had ...