Kansas City Man Blues - Bechet-Wilber 1947
Sidney Bechet recorded this tune some 24 years
Kansas City Man Blues - Bechet-Wilber 1947
Sidney Bechet recorded this tune some 24 years earlier with Clarence Williams Blue Five, but now in 1947 a young talented music student named Bob Wilber came to live with Bechet to learn and to become a real jazzman.
Bob aand his own band, The Wildcats, managed to record with Bechet. Here is the 1947 version of Wild Man Blues with Bob Wilber, clarinet. John Glasel trumpet, Bob Mielke trombone, Dick Wellstood piano, Denny Strong drums and Charlie Traeger bass.
(The photo comes from Bob's 1987 book "Music was not Enough" and the photo was made Peter Tanner)
Of course Bob Wilber became almost just as famous as Bechet but already there, he had just reached the age of 19 does a sublime piece of ensemble playing, harmonizing with Bechet and doing some great solo work as well.
I have had the fortune to meet Bob and play several times with him as well. I have not been in touch with him lately but he claimed to be retired and devides his time between a nice house in Cotswolds, an area the UK and another one in the Cape Cod, all this together with his beautiful wife Pug.
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China Boy - Bechet-Spanier - Big Four 1940
From the same recording session as in Four or
China Boy - Bechet-Spanier - Big Four 1940
From the same recording session as in Four or Five Times on March 28 1940 comes this very hot swinging version of impromptu jazz. They say that Sidney Bechet never learned to read music. Muggsy is a very natural creative musicians as well and the two blend uniquely together. For any trumpet man it is always hard to play with a soprano sax player and with Bechet's energy and obvious volume I believe that even Louis Armstrong wasn't too keen to play with Bechet.
Bechet would not take a back-step to any one, was not in his character. However there is sympathy in the power exchange between Muggsy and Sidney. Good for them..
Bechet on soprano sax, Muggsy Spanier on trumpet, Carmen Mastren guitar and Wellman Braud bass.
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Four or Five Times -- Bechet -Spanier Big Four 1940
Since the beginning of my involvemen
Four or Five Times -- Bechet -Spanier Big Four 1940
Since the beginning of my involvement in jazz the fabulous Spanier-Bechet Big Four have always been part of my collection and I consider these very valuable jazz treasures. In two recording sessions in the spring of 1940 a total of 8 different tunes were recorded. Muggsy Spanier trumpet,, Sidney Bechet soprano sax, Carmen Mastren guitar and Wellman Braud bass
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Wild Cat Blues - Clarence Williams Blue Five 1923
Although Sidney Bechet has recorded in
Wild Cat Blues - Clarence Williams Blue Five 1923
Although Sidney Bechet has recorded in 1920 and 1921 as well, his first official recording came from a session with Clarence Williams' Blue Five in New York on July 30, 1923. Together with cornetist Tom Morris, trombonist John Mayfield, Clarence Williams piano and Buddy Christian they recorded just two tunes. The Wild Cat Blues became a popular feature for Bechet. He recorded the tune again in 1947 and 1949.
It had a big impact on the revival world. Claude Luter did it on record again and later Monty Sunshine with the Chris Barber Band made it into a tophit. Even today, many of the better revival bands have this great piece in their repertoire.
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Really the Blues -- Bechet 1938
Really the Blues was a recording done in New York under
Really the Blues -- Bechet 1938
Really the Blues was a recording done in New York under the name of Tommy Ladnier and his Orchestra. Tommy on trumpet, Sydney Bechet on clarinet and another mainplayer in and around Bechet was American clarinetist Mezz Mezzrow. Pianist Cliff Jackson piano, Teddy Bunn guitar, Elmer James bass and Manzie johnson was the drummer.
This tune was composed by Mezz Mezzrow who some 8 years later wrote his life story in a book which he also called "Really The Blues".
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A Fine Romance -- Billie Holiday 1936
In a second recording date under her own name was m
A Fine Romance -- Billie Holiday 1936
In a second recording date under her own name was made in New York on September 29, 1936. Artie Shaw was replaced by a clarinetist from the Bob Crosby band called Irving Fazola, and pianist Clyde Hart replaced Joe Bushkin, with Bunny Berigan trumpet, Dick McDonough guitar, Artie Bernstein bass and Cozy Cole drums
Dorothy Fields and Jerome Kern produced this tune and it goes a little bit like this:
"A fine romance, with no kisses, a fine romance, my friend this is
we should be like a couple of hot tomatoes
but you are as cold as yesterdays mashed patatoes
a fine romane, you won't nestle,
a fine romance you won't wrestle
I might as well play bridge with my old maid aunt
I haven't got a chance, this is a fine romance"
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Added: 2 weeks ago
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Summertime -- Billie Holiday 1936
Summertime was a tune from the opera Porgy and Bess tha
Summertime -- Billie Holiday 1936
Summertime was a tune from the opera Porgy and Bess that had openend only some 9 months before this recording was made. Even today, some 72 years later, the tune is still a favourite standard, but Billie's was probably the greatest version ever made.
Billie and her Orchestra with Bunny Berigan trumpet, Artie Shaw clarinet, Joe Bushkin piano, Dick McDonough guitar, Pete Peterson bass and Cozy Cole drums.
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No Regrets- Billie Holiday 1936
Billie became more recognized and would now record under
No Regrets- Billie Holiday 1936
Billie became more recognized and would now record under her own name. In this first session on July 10 1926 it became Billie Holiday and her Orchestra. Her sidemen were Bunny Berigan trumpet, Artie Shaw clarinet, Joe Bushkin piano, Dick McDonough guitar, Pete Peterson bass and Cozy Cole drums. Even though Billie had never worked with most of these musicians before, she must have heard them in clubs around 52 Street and the results are obvious.
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A unknown song etched in time by the lightning of Billie's genius. Teddy Wilson starts the
A unknown song etched in time by the lightning of Billie's genius. Teddy Wilson starts the tune followed by Johnny Hodges. Then the great Billie comes in tearing your heart out. The other members on this session recorded in New York on June 1936 who close out the tune with an ensemble are Jonah jones trumpet, Harry Carney clarinet, Lawrence Lucie guitar, John Kirby bass and Cozy Cole drums
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Added: 2 weeks ago
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