Clancy Hayes

Renowned for his exceptional singing within the Dixieland revival, Clancy Hayes surpassed most instrumentalists who ventured into vocals. From 1927 onward, he became a regular presence in San Francisco, performing frequently on radio broadcasts and at local venues. His collaboration with Lu Watters began in 1938, involving two years with the leader’s large ensemble followed by a decade alongside the Yerba Buena Jazz Band, where he primarily played rhythm banjo and sometimes handled drumming duties. The peak of his recognition arrived during his tenure as vocalist for Bob Scobey’s ensemble between 1950 and 1959. Throughout the 1960s, Hayes lent his talents to the Firehouse Five Plus Two, Turk Murphy, a precursor ensemble to the World’s Greatest Jazz Band, as well as leading his personal outfits. As a bandleader, Clancy Hayes committed to wax for Verve in 1950, Audio Fidelity in 1960, Good Time Jazz in 1963, Delmark, ABC-Paramount, and Fat Cat Jazz in 1969, while also elevating numbers like “Oh by Jingo,” “Ace in the Hole,” and his composition “Huggin’ and A-Chalkin’” to prominence among enthusiasts of traditional jazz.