Singin' The Blues - A Jazz Classic

Original sheet music (1920)

Singin' the Blues is a 1920 jazz composition by J. Russel Robinson, Con Conrad, Sam M. Lewis and Joe Young. The song was released with lyrics by vocalist Aileen Stanley in 1920 on Victor 18703.

Frankie Trumbauer's Orchestra with Bix and Lang

In 1927, Frankie Trumbauer and his Orchestra recorded the song as an instrumental for Okeh in New York on February 4th. The Trumbauer recording is considered a jazz classic, greatly contributing to Frank Trumbauer and Bix Beiderbecke's reputation and influence. Participating musicians are: Frankie Trumbauer (C-melody sax), Bix Beiderbecke (co), Bill Rank (tb), Jimmy Dorsey (cl), Doc Ryker ( as), Paul Madeira Mertz (p), Eddie Lang (g) and Chauncey Morehouse (dm)

An essay by David Sager gives an in-depth analysis of the Trumbauer-Beiderbecke recording, accessible here 

Sol Hoopii's Novelty Trio

Here we will focus on a few other recordings of Singin' the Blues. First I like to point to the recording by Sol Hoopii's Novelty Trio from 1928, which emulate the famous version by Bix and Tram. It is an example of Sol Hoopii's sophisticated steel guitar playing

In 1931, Fletcher Henderson and his Orchestra recorded a version of Singin' the Blues, which re-arranged the Trumbauer-Beiderbecke version. Here the solo part of Trumbauer's C-melody sax is rearranged for the reed section, while Beiderbecke's solo is repeated by Rex Stewart's cornet

In 1939, Lionel Hampton recorded Singin' the Blues in his series of sessions for Victor. This version feature Benny Carter (tp), Edmond Hall (cl), Coleman Hawkins (ts), Lionel Hampton (vib), Joe Sullivan (p), Freddie Green (g), Artie Bernstein (b) and Zutty Singleton (d), recorded December 21, 1939 in New York

Finally, to end this small presentation of a famous jazz classic, here's a contemporary version from a live performance, which re-creates the famous Trumbauer-Beiderbecke recording. The recording was made August 4th 2011 by Andy Schumm and his Gang. Participating musicians were: Andy Schumm (co), John Otto, (reeds), Dave Bock (tb), Vince Giordano (sb), Leah Bezin (bj, g), David Boeddinghaus (p) and Josh Duffee (d) 

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Jo

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