Jack Bland

Jack Bland (May 8, 1899 – 1968) was an American jazz banjoist and bandleader. Born in Sedalia, Missouri, Bland co-founded the Mound City Blue Blowers with Red McKenzie in 1924 in St. Louis. Their first hit record was "Arkansas Blues", a success in Chicago and the Midwest. After Eddie Lang joined the group late in 1924, the group booked a tour in England. Later in the 1920s, Bland (no doubt in part due to the receding role of the banjo as a rhythm instrument in jazz recording) began playing more cello and guitar.