Career
Stitzel also played with The Bucktown Five in the early 1920s. At first, the band was known as the Friar"s Society Orchestra after obtaining a gig at Friar"s Inn, but changed their name to the New Orleans Rhythm Kings after their residency ended. Mares is credited with co-writing several of their best known songs including "Tin Roof Blues" in 1923.
He also co-wrote the music to "Make Love to Maine" for the group and which was a million-seller when revived by Jo Stafford in 1954.
The band also recorded with pianist Jelly Roll Morton on piano thus becoming the first multi-racial jazz band to record. Stitzel co-wrote "Doodle Doo Doo" with Art Kassel in 1924.
He co-wrote "Bittersweet" with Ben Pollack. He also wrote the music for "The Chant" in 1926 after the Rhythm Kings broke up in 1925.