Great Jazz Brass

Buckin' The Blues

Great Jazz Brass
Photo by Wendy Hilty
RCA Camden CAL-383
1957

From the back cover: Louis Armstrong has generally been regarded as the most important influence in jazz, a warm, emotional musician whose trumpeting and singing have thrilled and inspired his listeners for almost two generations. His hot is evident on the opening and closing eight bars of the first selection, the rest of which is devoted to some friendly vocalizing with Jack Teagarden.

Bix Beiderbecke, the legendary trumpeter who died much too young, is responsible for a relaxed, gentle way of playing that is the forerunner of the style of many of today's trumpeters. Starred in Paul Whiteman's band, with many groups of the Chicago school, he appears here as a member of a big band led by Hoagy Carmichael, blowing an exciting chorus right after the first novelty vocal. The tenor sax passage is by Bud Freeman.

Buck Clayton, a modern version of Armstrong, is best known for his warm work in Count Basie's band and as leader of his own current group. Here, with the Esquire All American Award Winners, he blows an intimate, relaxed muted horn, sharing solos with guitarist John Collins on an original blues.

Lee Collins is an early New Orleans trumpeter, highly respected by the men who were led by his strong, singing horn. Featured on this 1929 disc with the Jones and Collins Astoria Hot Eight, he shares the solo spotlight with co-leader David Jones and his tenor sax, clarinetist Sidney Arodin and pianist Joseph Robichaux.

Ziggy Elman was the powerhouse star trumpeter of Benny Goodman's band who, during his BG days, made several records with his own pickup group. On this traditional Jewish air he emotes in his unique, waling manner, receiving notable support from pianist Jess Stacy and the rhythm section.

Harry James played alongside Elman in the Goodman band, then branched out as one of the most successful bandleaders of all time. On this record, made shortly after he joined Benny, he solos on a tune he had just helped Ben Pollack's band, of which he was a member, make into a hit. The trumpet solo and the arrangement are by Harry; the clarinet by Benny; the tenor sax by Vido Musso.

J. J. Johnson and Kai Winding are two modern trombonists whose facile styles have, independently, established them as top men in the field, and who combined their playing into a pattern of duets that brought them additional fame. Kai's clipped clauses complement Johnson's richer, more legato style enticingly, with both contributing impressive solos.

Tommy Ladnier is a most respected New Orleans trumpeter, who was born in that city shortly before it produced Louis Armstrong. His playing is in the style of Louis', and on this record he revives the New Orleans jazz flavor with the famed Sidney Bechet. Also heard on this rollicking rendition are Hank Duncan's Waller-like piano and Teddy Nixion's trombone.

Wingy Manone, another New Orleansian (four years younger than Armstrong and Ladnier) displays more of the kind of jazz typical of that city. As famous recently for his humor (he has appeared often with Bing Crosby), he blows his horn here in a dipsy-doodlish version of the blues, sharing the solo spotlight with Chris Berry's tenor sax.

King Oliver is generally looked upon as the beginning of jazz, a forthright trumpeter to whom others, such as Armstrong himself, give great credit for starting things off. On this record, made in 1929, his biting horn leads the ensemble, which plays an arrangement (unusual for Oliver) and features additional solos by alto saxist Glyn Pacque and trombonist Jimmy Archey.

Muggsy Spanier is a leading exponent of the Chicago style of Dixieland, a direct, driving type of jazz that's at its best when led by a horn with the fire and authority of one like Muggsy's. Featured with him on this record are clarinetist Rod Cless and pianist George Zack.

Jack Teagarden is one of the real giants of jazz, a warm, creative, rhythmic trombonist, with a style steeped in the blues tradition. The star of countless big and small bands (including his own), he is featured here with Eddie Condon's Hot Shots, singing and blowing the blues. The trumpeter is Leonard Davis; the pianist is Joe Sullivan; the C melody saxist is Milt "Mezz" Mezzrow.

Notes by George T. Simon

Rockin' Chair - Louis Armstrong
Barnacle Bill, The Sailor - Bix Beiderbecke
Buckin' The Blues - Buck Clayton
Tip Easy Blues - Lee Collins
Bubitchki - Ziggy Elman
Peckin' - Harry James
Lullaby Of Birdland - J. J. Johnson and Kai Winding
I've Found A New Baby - Tommy Ladnier
Jumpy Nerves - Wingy Manone
New Orleans Shout - Muggsy Spanier
That's A Serious Thing - Jack Teagarden