Wow!

I never thought I will write 100 Song of the Week posts, and there is still no end of the series in sight!

What song should be posted as the 100th song?

I decided to feature a song what had made history.

So, it’s not about dancing today, it’s about the first Jazz song ever recorded.

Unfortunately, I have to say, the first Jazz recording was not by a black artist, it was by a white group.

A black musician had the chance to be the first, though. It was Freddie Keppard, a cornetist from New Orleans, who got an offer by Victor in 1915 but he refused because he was afraid, that other musicians would steal his music (although, there are other theories out there as well)!

Livery Stable Blues

The fame of the first recording went to the white orchestra Original Dixieland Jass Band. On Februar 26, 1917, they recorded Livery Stable Blues, coupled with Dixie Jass Band One Step for the Victor Talking Machine Company.

This 78 record became a huge success and was sold massively. It marked the beginning of the Jazz era and launched Jazz as popular music.

The Original Dixieland Jass Band – they changed “Jass” to “Jazz” in late 1917 – was formed in 1916 in New Orleans. The band consisted of five members: leader Nick La Rocca (cornet), Larry Shields (clarinet), Eddie Edwards (trombone), Henry Ragas (piano) and Tony Sparbaro (drums).

They had already recorded for Columbia on January 31, 1917, but that session was unsuccessful. They went back to re-record the songs after the successful release of the Victor recordings.

The Original Dixieland Jazz Band called itself the creators of Jazz because it was the first band to record Jazz commercially. Band leader Nick La Rocca even claimed, that black musicians were not at all involved in creating Jazz (source: Ken Burns documentary “Jazz”)!

Read more about the Original Dixieland Jazz Band on RedHotJazz.com and on Wikipedia. There are many more sources on the internet.

Title: Livery Stable Blues
Artist: Original Dixieland Jass Band
Recorded: February 26, 1917
Album: Victor 18255-B
Tempo: 167 bpm
Style: Early Jazz

Click the link to download the song for free at
Jazz-On-Line.com

Do you like “Livery Stable Blues”? Let us know in the comment section below!

Every Monday, I post a new “Song of the Week“.
You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.


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Related Posts:

Song of the Week #99: “Oh I’m Evil” by Una Mae Carlisle
Song of the Week #98: “Wednesday Night Hop” by Andy Kirk & His Twelve Clouds of Joy
Song of the Week #97: “Some Of These Days” by Mario ‘Harp’ Lorenzi
Song of the Week #96: “Flaming Reeds and Screaming Brass” by Jimmie Lunceford
Song of the Week #95: “Four Or Five Times” by Jimmie Noone

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What is Project Q about

The following description is taken from their website:

“The goal of Project Q is to bring Lindy Hoppers from around the globe to illustrate, in a visual way, the power behind future technologies that are based on the laws of quantum mechanics. To pull this off we need your help.

The idea is to have different scenes from around the world film themselves dancing a short routine inspired by Frankie’s Lindy Chorus. The footage will be edited together (similar to what was done for the Frankie 95 Global Shim Sham) and incorporated into a live performance at a high profile event taking place in the spring.

This will be an excellent opportunity to showcase Lindy Hop to a large international audience.”

Lindy Chorus Routine for Project Q

Music

The song is “Dr. Jazz” by Roberta Hunt, especially arranged for the routine. The routine starts at around 2:19.

Download the song directly from the Project Q website.

Who’s In from Zürich?

So, that sounds like great fun to me and I spontaneoulsy decided to coordinate a Zurich Group.

Who’s in?

Please let me know in the comment section below and I’ll come back to you.

What to do next?

Please start on your own to learn the routine from the video clip above. I will organize only one session where we come together to practise and record the routine for the project.

Most likely, the practise and recording session will be happening around 25.02.2012.

Questions?

Do you have any questions about the Zurich group? Contact me and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

Take action!

Leave a comment below until 31.01.2012 to participate in the Zürich group.

Also dancers outside of Zürich are welcome to dance with us.


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She was very influenced by him and her boogie woogie/stride piano style was similar to his. She also took over the inclusion of comedy elements in her sets, like Waller used to do.

In 1936, Una Mae left the US to tour Europe. She spent the next three years mostly in London and Paris to perform and record. She became highly successful in England, Germany and France.

Back in the US, she continued her collaborations with Fats Waller, providing the vocal on the 1939 recording of “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love.”.

In the early 1940s, she started to make recordings under her own name for Bluebird with top sidemen such as Lester Young, Benny Carter, and John Kirby.

After her contract with Bluebird expired, she started a long relationship with producer and manager Joe Davis, an early associate of Fats Waller.

John knew how to make use of her talent as a successful songwriter and organized sessions for her with excellent musicians, such as trumpet and violin player Ray Nance, who just left Duke Ellington’s orchestra, Budd Johnson on tenor sax and drummer Shadow Wilson.

John Davis also published sheet music of her compositions and took them into session he produced by other artists. Cab Calloway and Peggy Lee were among the artist who covered her songs.

In the late 1940s, Una Mae had her own radio and television programs. Her final recordings were for Columbia records in the early 1950′s, featuring Don Redman.

Because of recurring illness, she retired in 1952 und died in 1956 at age 41.

Oh I’m Evil

“Oh I’m Evil” is my favourite song performed by Una Mae Carlisle. It’s a fantastic tune to dance or just to listen to!

Title: Oh I’m Evil
Artist: Una Mae Carlisle
Recorded: May 1, 1941
Album: Ladies Sing Jazz Vol. 3
Tempo: 156 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU – iTunes US – A’zon.de – A’zon.com – A’zon.co.uk – eMusic

not an eMusic member yet? Get $10/€10 credit with Your 7 Day FREE Trial!

What do you think about “Oh I’m Evil”? Let us know in the comment section below!

Every Monday, I post a new “Song of the Week“.
You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.


If you enjoyed this post, subscribe for more Swing DJ resources & music tips!

Related Posts:

Song of the Week #98: “Wednesday Night Hop” by Andy Kirk & His Twelve Clouds of Joy
Song of the Week #97: “Some Of These Days” by Mario ‘Harp’ Lorenzi
Song of the Week #96: “Flaming Reeds and Screaming Brass” by Jimmie Lunceford
Song of the Week #95: “Four Or Five Times” by Jimmie Noone
Song of the Week #94: “Petite Fleur” by Sidney Bechet

Shuffle the House

For the third edition, Marcia Bodenmann and Jonas Maggiori expanded their organization team with Tina Foppa and Coco Akerman.

What stays is the idea: to organize an intimate Balboa workshop with parties in beautiful locations and venues, nestled in a quaint landscape in the northeast of Switzerland – in Schaffhausen.

There will be some side attractions like a flea market and more surprises.

Workshop

10 hours of lessons for three levels “Beginners-Intermediate”, “Intermediate-Advanced” and “Advanced” with three top international instructor couples:

• Kelly Arsenault & Mickey Fortanasce (USA)
• Claudia Joyal Laplante & Marty Klempner (CAN)
• Andrea Hösel & Gio Olla (SWE)

Parties

Three parties on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night!

On Saturday night with live music: the band is not confirmed yet.

Details & Registration

The registration is now open! Check out the website Shuffle the House for further informations, available in German and English.





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Well, some of you might know the song from “Lindy Chorus“, a routine choreographed by Frankie Manning. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, here is an example of “Lindy Chorus” from 2011:

Now what’s the song? It’s Wednesday Night Hop by Andy Kirk.

Andy Kirk took over Terrence Holder’s Dark Clouds Of Joy in 1928, renamed it first in Andy Kirk and his Dark Clouds Of Joy and then Andy Kirk and his Twelve Clouds Of Joy.

When the regular pianist missed a recording session in 1929, John Williams, who was the saxophonist in the band, suggested to hire his wife Mary Lou Williams. Andy Kirk agreed and as we know today, that was a wise decision.

Mary Lou Williams was the real star in the band. She was not only a great soloist but also arranger and composer for the band. A great portion of the credit, that the band was so popular and successful, belongs without doubt to her!

From 1931 to 1942, Mary Lou Williams was a full time member of Andy Kirk’s Twelve Clouds Of Joy.

Why is this song so appealing to me?

First, it’s the staccato style. Then there are those monotone lines repeatedly appearing, by the horn section but also by some soloists. And lastly, the transition from these two characteristics to some softer solo phrases. You know, what I mean?

Title: Wednesday Night Hop
Artist: Andy Kirk & His Twelve Clouds Of Joy
Recorded: Feb 15, 1937 New York
Album: Baby Dear 1936-1949
Tempo: 214 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU – iTunes US – A’zon.de – A’zon.com – A’zon.co.uk – eMusic

*not an eMusic member yet? Get $10/€10 credit with Your 7 Day FREE Trial!

Do you think, Wednesday Night Hop is overplayed? Let us know in the comment section below!

Every Monday, I post a new “Song of the Week“.
You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.

Sign up now for DJ Chrisbe’s free resources emails for
more music tips and swing DJ resources!

Related Posts:

Song of the Week #71: “Bearcat Shuffle” by Andy Kirk & His Twelve Clouds of Joy
Song of the Week #97: “Some Of These Days” by Mario ‘Harp’ Lorenzi
Song of the Week #96: “Flaming Reeds and Screaming Brass” by Jimmie Lunceford
Song of the Week #95: “Four Or Five Times” by Jimmie Noone
Song of the Week #94: “Petite Fleur” by Sidney Bechet

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Third Album

After “Swingmatism” (2006) and “Live at the Legion” (2009), The Solomon Douglas Swingtet released their third Album “Ain’t No School Like The Old School” in April 2011.

This studio album was recorded at the end of a three-week tour of the eastern states and provinces (in the US), having played 16 gigs in 20 days.

Led By A Swing Dancer and DJ

The ten-piece band is led by jazz pianist Solomon Douglas. In 2006 he toured the United States and Japan as a member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Nowadays he is a freelance musician and dance instructor. Solomon teaches mainly Lindy Hop and Blues and is also a Swing and Blues DJ.

The repertoire of the Swingtet is rooted in that of the Count Basie band and that of the Duke Ellington band, complemented with other big band standards and classic jazz tunes.

Old Gems Become New Gems

Egyptian Fantasy by The Solomon Douglas Swingtet @ Seattle Lindy Exchange 2011

It was a good decision to record that album after a tour, when the musicians are well attuned. You can feel that with every note! The band is swinging like mad and you can’t believe that there are “only” 10 of them playing all these gems. They love for sure what they are doing!

All 17 tunes are instrumental, originally recorded between 1928 – 1942. The new arrangements are closely based on the original ones without the requirement to sound exactly like them.

Here we have a fantastic album of old-style jazz songs with different tempos and styles.

And the clean sound is awesome, very direct! The different instruments are well balanced and nicely mixed.

I like the courage to choose less known songs like “Bizet Has His Day” or “Queer Notions”, both favorites of mine (and featured as Song of the Week #82 and #83)! I also love the versions of “Rose Room” and “Blues In The Air”.

Track List

1. King Porter Stomp – 210 bpm – 3:01
2. Clap Hands! Here Comes Charley! - 320 bpm – 2:09
3. Long Tail Mama – 201 bpm – 2:39
4. Bizet Has His Day – 155 bpm – 3:44
5. New Orleans Bump – 119 bpm – 3:35
6. Blues In The Air – 68 bpm – 5:46
7. Egyptian Fantasy – 106 bpm – 4:29
8. Queer Notions – 157 bpm – 2:57
9. The Mooche – 116 bpm – 4:08
10. Tuxedo Junction – 155 bpm – 3:14
11. Rose Room – 153 bpm – 3:10
12. Avalon – 248 bpm – 3:54
13. Cotton Tail (fast) – 260 bpm – 3:02
14. Cotton Tail (faster) – 281 bpm – 2:48
15. That’s How Rhythm Was Born – 188 bpm – 3:47
16. Casa Loma Stomp – 269 bpm – 3:01
17. White Heat – 314 bpm – 2:17

A Must For Dancers, Music Lovers and DJs

Solomon and his musicians dared the balancing act of re-creation and adding their own style, and it was worth it!

The songs have a good length and different tempos for Lindy Hop, Balboa and Blues dancers. An album by a dancer for dancers – a pure winner!

Buy “Ain’t No School Like The Old School”!

Digital Download
iTunes CH/EU — iTunes US — Amazon.de — A’zon.com — A’zon.co.uk

CD
Directly from Solomon — CD Baby

Link:

Solomon Douglas’ Website

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It has been recorded by many other artists and it is also very popular among contemporary bands playing in the New Orleans tradition.

As a regular reader of this series you know, that I like swing songs played with uncommon instruments, here it’s a harp, played by Mario “Harp” Lorenzi. I got introduced to this Song of the Week by Mitya Kuznetsov – a great swing DJ from Moscow! – at The Snowball ten days ago.

Mario Lorenzi (29.05.1894 – 01.06.1967), born in Florence, Italy, was a classically trained harpist. In the 1920s he moved to England.

In 1926, Lorenzi was invited by Jay Whidden, a popular bandleader in the UK, to play with his band. Lorenzi mainly played alto sax or clarinet with the band, but his harp could first be heard on record on “I Don’t Want Nobody But You” recorded on October 12th 1926, one of the earliest appearances of a harp on a dance band recording. [source: Jay Whidden - A Lifetime In Music]

In the 1930s, Lorenzi made recordings under his own name. He died in 1967 in London.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find much more information about Mario Lorenzi!

Some Of These Days by Mario “Harp” Lorenzi on YouTube

Vocals: Marjorie Stedeford

Lyrics Some Of These Days:

Some of these days, You’re gonna miss me honey
Some of these days, You’re gonna feel so lonely
You’ll miss my huggin’, You’ll miss my kissin’
You’ll miss me honey, when you go away

I feel so lonely, Just for you only
For you know honey, you’ve had your way!
And when you leave me, I know twill grieve me
You’ll miss your little baby
Yes, some of these days

Title: Some Of These Days
Artist: Mario “Harp” Lorenzi & His Rhythmics
Recorded: 26.09.1935
Album: Anthology of British Vintage Jazz, Volume 2: 1927-1937
Tempo: 214 bpm
Dance: Balboa

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU — iTunes US — Amazon.de — A’zon.com — A’zon.co.uk

I totally dig this tune! What about you? Let us know in the comment section below!

Every Monday, I post a new “Song of the Week“.
You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.

Sign up now for DJ Chrisbe’s free resources emails for
more music tips and swing DJ resources!

Related Posts:

Song of the Week #96: “Flaming Reeds and Screaming Brass” by Jimmie Lunceford
Song of the Week #95: “Four Or Five Times” by Jimmie Noone
Song of the Week #94: “Petite Fleur” by Sidney Bechet
Song of the Week #93: “Moonglow (Take 2)” by Benny Goodman Quartet
Song of the Week #92: “Little Sir Echo” by Rex Stewart & Dickie Wells

If you enjoyed this post, please “like”, tweet, +1, or share it. Thank you!

Yesterday, I’ve found (via Facebook) a documentary from 1988 about Lindy Hop, uploaded by “sabinoson”.

The Call Of The Jitterbug

A film by Jesper Sorensen, Vibeke Winding and Tana Ross.

Edited by Rachel Reichman.

Featured among others are Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, George Lloyd and Mama Lu Parks.

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ENGLISH version: find this event on Facebook

Lasst uns das neue Jahr shuffelnderweise willkommen heissen, an der ersten Zürich Balboa Night in 2012!

Zürich Balboa Night

Host
Christian Bossert

Zeit
21.00 – 1.00h

DJs
Special Guest DJ Romanoff und DJ Chrisbe die heissesten Balboa-Tunes für euch!

Ort
Downtownswing, Friedaustrasse 17, 8003 Zürich

Kosten
CHF 15/10 für die Party
Stir It!-Mitglieder erhalten CHF 5 Rabatt!

Latest News
Es geht das Gerücht um, dass eine Berner Delegation an die Balboa Night kommt!

Nächste Balboa Night
3. Februar 2012

Die Zürich Balboa Night findet in der Regel jeden 1. Freitag im Monat statt; ausser im August (Sommerpause)

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It’s an uptempo song with unexpected breaks and sound patterns. First, you wait until the song really starts when you realize, that you are already in the midst of it.

Interestingly, “Flaming Reeds and Screaming Brass” was a test recording by the Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra from 1933 for Columbia and not released before the late 1960s on LP!

James Melvin “Jimmie” Lunceford (6.6.1902 – 12.07.1947) was a multiinstrumentalist but mostly famous as bandleader. He led one of the most popular big bands of the swing era. The orchestra evolved from the Chickasaw Syncopators, a student band he organized in 1927.

In 1934, the band got booked by The Cotton Club in Harlem/New York and Lunceford’s reputation began to steadily grow. The band was most known for their tight musicianship, visual show and humor in music and lyrics.

Our song of the week is a perfect example of the Lunceford sound.

Title: Flaming Reeds and Screaming Brass
Artist: Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra
Recorded: May 15, 1933, New York
Album: Complete Jazz Series 1930 – 1934
Tempo: 246 bpm
Dance: Balboa

Click the link to prelisten and/or download the song at
iTunes CH/EU — iTunes US — Amazon.de — Amazon.com

What do you think about this song, do you like it? Let us know in the comment section below!

Every Monday, I post a new “Song of the Week“.
You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.

Sign up now for DJ Chrisbe’s free resources emails for
more music tips and swing DJ resources!

Related Posts:

Song of the Week #95: “Four Or Five Times” by Jimmie Noone
Song of the Week #94: “Petite Fleur” by Sidney Bechet
Song of the Week #93: “Moonglow (Take 2)” by Benny Goodman Quartet
Song of the Week #92: “Little Sir Echo” by Rex Stewart & Dickie Wells
Song of the Week #91: “‘Tain’t What You Do” by Jimmie Lunceford

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