Between 1927 and 1934 various African-American musicians in the Memphis, Tennessee area grouped around singer, guitarist, harmonica player Will Shade and called themselves the Memphis Jug Band. During that period the personnel varied from day to day, but frequently consisted of Shade, Charlie Polk, "Ham" Lewis or Jab Jones on jug, Ben Ramsey on kazoo, Charlie Burse or Will Weldon on guitar, Vol Stevens on violin or mandolin and on occasion, Hattie Hart on vocals. The band played whereever they could find engagements and found themselves popular among white and well as black audiences.

In 1934 the band went to Chicago and recorded for the last time. By that time their style of music was no longer in demand and Shade was no longer able to keep the musicians working.