The Oct. 28 date has 5 Whiteman musicians plus Hoagy-p, Andy Secrest-c and Buzz Wernert-g. Secrest was then with The Royal Peacocks out of Indianapolis. With Hoagy, they would record as Goldkette's band in Dec. '27.
How did Hoagy commandeer 5 of Whiteman's boys to make a recording at Richmond? Well...Whiteman was in Indy, doing a run at the Indiana Theater. Hoagy, who had been hanging around the band helping Bill Challis arrange "Washboard Blues," offered the guys a record date. Either it was an off day or Pops himself gave the okay.
If I'm not mistaken, Stardust was also issued under Emil Seidel's name, possibly at an earlier date, as I get a picture in my mind of the regular Gennett label instead of an Electrobeam.
Although various sources, based on the musicians list for both days (e.g. on Red Hot Jazz Archive), assume that the Dorsey brothers play on "Stardust", this is apparently not true. In fact, the lineup was completely different for the two sessions, and only the second session had the Emil Seidel Orchestra (but no Dorseys):
Oct 28, 1927: Hoagy Carmichael (piano), Andy Secrest (cornet), Bob Mayhew (cornet), Tommy Dorsey (trombone), Jimmy Dorsey (alto sax, clarinet), Nye Mayhew (tenor sax), and Mischa Russell (violin).
Oct 31, 1927: Hoagy Carmichael (cornet & piano), Byron Smart (cornet), Oscar Rossberg (trombone), Gene Woods (alto sax), Dick Kent (alto sax, clarinet), Maurice Bennett (tenor sax), Don Kimmell (guitar, banjo), Emil Seidel (piano), Paul Brown (bass brass), and Cliff Williams (drums).
Both date links lead to the extensive Gennett Records Discography, with the recordings to listen to.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Hoagy Carmichael, slholzer. Note also that at the 3:00 position on the label, as on most Gennett records of the time, the release month was indicated: 1-28. As usual then, both sides were recorded some months before, on October 28 & 31, 1927. Carmichael's "Pals" were actually Emil Seidel and His Orchestra, who for this session were supported by Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey.
My Hoosier man, Hoagy! This is one to grab, if you happen to find it. Hoagy's top all-time song hit "Stardust" was still undergoing evolution. Note what it says at the 3:00 position on the label: Stomp. Those lovely ballad treatments by Artie Shaw and Jack Jenney were still years away. Even Hoagy didn't hear the song that way yet.
Hoagy was a jazz man, through and through . He hung out with Bix Beiderbecke and the Wolverines and brought them to the IU campus in Bloomington, Indiana. He led bands of his own and they were ahead of their time musically, but still hot jazz bands. He took a fling at playing trumpet, but ultimately settled on piano and sort of singing, which actually got him employed with some first line dance bands of the day, including Paul Whiteman. After that, he forgot about practicing law and became an itinerant songwriter, actor and entertainer. For all that he eventually did, though, this is my favorite part of his career - the Stardust-stomping jazz man.