
Black Patti Records was a short-lived American record label based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, founded in 1927 by Mayo Williams (1894-1980). It was named after Black opera singer Sissieretta Jones (1868-1933), who was called "Black Patti" because some thought she resembled the Italian opera singer Adelina Patti (1843-1919). The label lasted just seven months and produced 55 records. At Paramount, Williams was a successful producer of the then-called "race records" (records made by Black musicians to be sold to Black customers.) The label catalog included jazz, blues, sermons, spirituals, and vaudeville skits, primarily by Black entertainers. The label never turned a profit, and Williams closed the label before the end of 1927. The historical significance of Black Patti Records being the first Black-owned record label to record predominantly Black artists and which sold its records to predominantly Black customers - in addition to the musically interesting recordings the label released during its short life - have made the records "Holy Grails" among record collectors today. Here, for the first time since 1927, is an attempt to bring every known extant Black Patti release back into one easy-to-access compilation. Please note I am still missing the following sides - kindly let me know if you have them and would be willing to digitize them! (Note that Black Pattis #8022, #8042 and #8053 have never been found as of this writing.) 1. "The Old Ship of Zion" by Pace Jubilee Singers (8022-A) 2. "Sing, Sing, Ethiopia Sing"/"Mammy's Chile" by Pace Jubilee Singers (8032) 3. "Um Ta Da Da" by Parham's Black Patti Band (8038-A) 4. "Hell Bound Train" by Pace Jubilee Singers/"Hark From The Tomb" by Pace Jubilee Congregation [w/Evangelist M.A. Cobb] (8042) 5. "Stompin' Fool"/"Razor Edge" by The Blackbirds of Paradise (8053)