Coon-Sanders Original Night Hawk Orchestra

Biography

The Coon-Sanders Original Nighthawk Orchestra was founded in 1919 in Kansas City, Missouri, by drummer Carleton 'Coonie' Coon, born in Rochester, Minnesota in 1893, and pianist Joe Sanders, whom he met in 1918 at a local music store. Initially known as the Coon-Sanders Novelty Orchestra, the duo quickly gained popularity playing gigs around Kansas City, benefiting from the city's vibrant nightlife under political boss Tom Pendergast. Their breakthrough came in late 1922 with late-night radio broadcasts on WDAF from the Muehlebach Hotel's Plantation Grill, where an announcer's remark about 'night hawks' inspired fans to embrace the name, leading to a rebrand, fan club, and theme song 'Nighthawks Blues.'

Fun Facts

• Al Capone was a fan who frequently left $100 tips for the band during their performances at the Blackhawk Restaurant in Chicago.
• Each orchestra member at their peak owned an identical Cord Automobile in a different color, embossed with the orchestra's name and the owner's name on the rear.
• Western Union installed a ticker tape machine between Sanders’ piano and Coon’s drums to acknowledge fan telegrams live during their WDAF broadcasts.
• The band's late-night radio announcer coined 'night hawks' for listeners staying up late, sparking thousands of responses and leading to their rebranding and fan club 'Enemies Of Sleep'.

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• Joe Sanders - co-leader, pianist, songwriter, and vocalist (all recordings and broadcasts including Victor sessions like 'Night Hawks Blues' and 'Sweepin’ The Clouds Away') [1919-1932]
• Joe Richolson - trumpet player in the orchestra (Blackhawk Hotel performances and Victor recordings) [1926-1932]
• Bob Pope - trumpet player in the orchestra (Blackhawk Hotel performances and Victor recordings) [1926-1932]
• Rex Downing - trombone player in the orchestra (Blackhawk Hotel performances and Victor recordings) [1926-1932]
• Harold Thiell - saxophone player in the orchestra (Blackhawk Hotel performances and Victor recordings) [1926-1932]
• Joe Thiell - saxophone player in the orchestra (Blackhawk Hotel performances and Victor recordings) [1926-1932]
• Floyd Estep - saxophone player in the orchestra (Blackhawk Hotel performances and Victor recordings) [1926-1932]
• Russ Stout - banjo and guitar player in the orchestra (Blackhawk Hotel performances and Victor recordings) [1926-1932]
• Pop Estep - tuba player in the orchestra (Blackhawk Hotel performances and Victor recordings) [1926-1932]

Artists Influenced

• Jules Stein - booked their tours, used profits to found MCA (Music Corporation of America) (four-week tour in 1924)

External Links

• Spotify