LEROY FELTS
Leroy Felts was born in Oakland on May 9, 1927, the eldest son of Leroy Felts Sr. and Henrietta (née Walker), born in Pennsylvania and Colorado respectively. Leroy Sr. was recorded as an automobile mechanic in 1930, a car washer in 1932 and 1934 and after that as a labourer. Leroy Jr. attended McClymonds High in West Oakland and played saxophone in the school band and in its saxophone quartet, as well as running his own band, the Royal Tones. (1)
Even then he was playing for money - he recalled that “Back in the depression, when we were shoeshine kids over in Oakland, we’d make more money on a Saturday night jam session sometimes than the grownups did in a week.” (2) By 1949 he was a full-time professional; he is recorded as playing for a masquerade ball staged by a social club called the Centaurs (3) and in 1950 Roy Felts and the Sharps, with vocalist Mr. Dee, were playing at the Paradise club. (4) I have found no further references until 1953 when he was leading a band (now called the Four Sharps) at the South Pacific on 13th Street in downtown Oakland. That gig lasted from May to September 1953 and from then on (reverting usually to his given name) his career consisted of a series of residences and one-off performances in Bay Area Clubs - the Club Playboy (May to September 1954 and in May 1955 when the club had changed its name to the Paddock);
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Lenzi’s in Eureka (November 1954); the Downbeat in San Francisco (early 1955); Slim Jenkins’ (April 1955 and later from August to November 1964); the Broken Arrow in Oakland (November 1957 and February to April
1960); the Blue Angel in Hayward (June 1958 to March 1959); a long stint (variously described as ‘fifteen months’ or ‘41 weeks’) at the Casbah in Daly City; a 33 week residency at the Say When in San Francisco (1961-2); the Swingin’ In in Hayward (September 1962 and February to May 1963); the Tropic-kana in Hayward
October to November 1962); the Off Ramp in San Leandro (January to March 1965); the Cloverleaf Lounge in Fremont (April 1965 and November 1965 to August 1967); the Grand Cocktail Lounge in Oakland (September 1965); the Mandarin Garden (January 1968); the Flanker in Oakland (August to November 1971); the King Richard (February 1972); and finally the Blue Lion in Oakland (January to February 1974). After this I have found nothing further about his career. He died on June 6 2001.
The picture that emerges is that of a successful local musician who, whether by choice or chance, worked exclusively around the Bay Area with great popularity for many years. He recorded for Ajax early in his career (when his group was known as the Four Sharps) - the record coupled "Christmas Blues" with "Santa Claus Shuffle." Treva 101, of uncertain date, coupled "Go Bounce" by Leroy Felts and his 7 Sharps with "Bucket Blues" by disc jockey Jumpin' George (Oxford) backed by Felts and hsi and his band (5). A report in 1960 (6) said that he intended to make a record of two of his own compositions, “O’Yeah” and “Blues Cha Cha”, but there seems to be no evidence that he did so. The same report gives the only indication (apart from mention of Leon Bryant in a 1957 ad (7) of the members of his group, which had just been reorganised. The only member left of the earlier group, apart from Felts himself, was bassist Clarence Weaver. To them were added Charles Hunter, piano; William Lockhart, drums; and Eddie Young, guitar. Note too that the group are described in the 1954 ad for their appearance at Lenzi's (above) as “Sepia Recording Artists and Stars of Radio”.
As regards the character of his music, though it is often described as jazz, it is clear that it was close to rhythm and blues. One 1953 report (8) said that “The Sharps deliver a cargo of rhythm sparked by sax fuse Roy Felts” and another from the same year described him as “wild.” (9) The following year it was said that “LeRoy Felts . . . is well known for his saxophone solos. The crowds gather around when LeRoy takes over the big sax,” (10) and he was billed as “Baby Earl Bostic.” Even more revealing is a report (11), also from 1954, of his appearance at Lenzi’s, which I quote in full: “A solid click!” says the crowds of jazz lovers about the 4 Sharps now appearing at Lenzi’s . . and rave resoundingly at the amusingly amazing performance of “Little Louie Jordan,” Roy Felts, when - right in the middle of a chorus - he walks off the stand, leaps on tables, chairs, etc. . . . and back to the stand, takes off his coat .. . alla (sic) time playing real great jazz on the saxaphone (sic)! And don’t miss their “Christmas Blues” and “Santa Claus Shuffle” - seasonably sensational!” And Felts’ own views on jazz are provided in a 1955 interview - ”the less music you have and the more rhythm and beat the more people like it. If you can pat your foot to it it’s jazz.” (2) His long stints at fairly up-market clubs do suggest, however, that he was probably a more versatile musician than these reports would indicate.
(1) The Oakland Tribune August 24, 1948.
(2) Austin (MN) Daily Herald March 30, 1955.
(3) The Oakland Tribune October 23, 1949.
(4) The Oakland Tribune October 14, 1950.
(5) John Tefteller had for sale an acetate of thes two sides made by Audio Associates Sound Recording.
(6) The Daily Review (Hayward CA) February 26, 1960.
(7) The Oakland Tribune November 13, 1957.
(8) The Oakland Tribune May 23, 1953.
(9) The Oakland Tribune May 28, 1953.
(10) The Daily Review (Hayward CA) July 24, 1954.
(11) Humboldt Standard (Eureka CA) November 20, 1954.
Addendum
I have been contacted by Leroy Felts’ daughters, Patricia Felts, Jennnifer Felts-Frazier and Angela Felts Holmes. Their memories are mainly of a much-loved father who worked at Pacific Gas and Electric to support his family and was active in the community working with young men and coaching a little league baseball team. Jennifer recalls that “[m]y sister and I were at the recording studio when he recorded and were part of the background in one of the songs. The recording studio was in Berkeley, CA on Alcatraz Street not far from our home, during the 60’s [probably Sierra Sound]. In my mind's eye, I can still see daddy jumping off stage and taking off his jacket never missing a note. My favorite song . . . was “Cornbread”." Patricia says that “[h]e was quite a singer, played the accordion, piano, and actually took up the flute and violin in his later years.” She was also
surprised that I did not mention “Tom McElroy who was pianist with one of my dad's "many bands" for years.” The reason was that none of my sources mentioned Tom McElroy in connection with Leroy Felts. He is mentioned as being in the McClymond High band at the same time as Leroy Felts. In 1971 he was leading a trio in a several months residency at the Bombay Bicycle Bar - The Oakland Tribune of April 22 1971 reported that “[o]rganist Tom McElroy will lead a trio consisting of drummer Bill Drake and featuring Emery Franklin on the saxophone. Drake will also handle the vocals for the trio. Their repertoire will cover a little bit of everything - from standards to light rock and Latin tunes.” Six years later the December 30 1977 issue of the same paper informed its readers that “[t]he Tom McElroy combo will be featured at the Lake Merritt Hotel.” In 1985 and 1986 the Art Cummings/Tom McElroy Orchestra performed in the Bay Area and in Musical News Vol. 88, No. 1 January-February 2016 Art Cummings and Tom McElroy are included in a list of “those few members of our Local 6 who belonged to the segregated Local 669 and are still active in our local.”
