Clancy Hayes

by Scott YanowClancy Hayes was one of the finest vocalists of the Dixieland revival movement, much better than the typical musician who feels compelled to sing. He was a steady fixture in San Francisco from 1927 on, appearing regularly on the radio and in clubs. He hooked up with Lu Watters in 1938, performing with Watters' big band for two years, and then ten with the Yerba Buena Jazz Band, mostly as a rhythm banjoist and occasionally on drums. He gained his greatest fame while singing with Bob Scobey's group (1950-1959). In the 1960s, Hayes worked with the Firehouse Five Plus Two, Turk Murphy, an early version of what would be the World's Greatest Jazz Band, and with his own groups. Clancy Hayes recorded as a leader for Verve (1950), Audio Fidelity (1960), Good Time Jazz (1963), Delmark, ABC-Paramount, and Fat Cat Jazz (1969), and helped make songs such as "Oh by Jingo," "Ace in the Hole," and his own "Huggin' and A-Chalkin'" popular in the trad jazz world.