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

keepitswinging.domain@gmail.com

Retrospect Keep Swinging (old) Oscar Aleman Choro Music Flexible Records Hit of the Week-Durium Friends of the Keep Swinging blog Keep Swinging Contributions

Way Down Yonder in New Orleans

1922 sheet music cover with a photo of singer Blossom Seeley

Way Down Yonder in New Orleans is a popular song with music by John Turner Layton, Jr. and lyrics by Henry Creamer. First published in 1922, it was advertised by Creamer and Layton as "A Southern Song, without A Mammy, A Mule, Or A Moon", a dig at some of the Tin Pan Alley clichés of the era.- It was performed at The Winter Garden Theater in New York in Act 2 of the Broadway musical production Spice of 1922.The original 1922 sheet music featured a drawing of a girl on a spice bottle on the front cover, referring to the musical in which the song eventually made its public debut. [excerpt of Wikipedia article]

The Peerless Quartet, c.1923
L-R: John H. Meyer, Henry Burr, Frank Croxton, Albert Campbell

The song has been recorded numerous times from the early 1920s up till now. One of the first recordings of the song was made by Henry Burr and the Peerless Quartet in 1922

Layton & Johnstone — 1927

The composer Turner Layton recorded the song as part of the duo Layton & Johnstone in 1927

Frankie Trumbauer & His Orch, OKeh, 40843

Way Down Yonder in New Orleans was soon recorded by various jazz groups, one of the most famous recordings from the 1920s was made by Frankie Trumbauer and His Orchestra featuring Bix Beiderbecke (co), in 1927

As said, Way Down Yonder in New Orleans has been recorded by numerous artists and the song may be considered a part of the jazz standard repertoire, but it has also been treated by r&b, rock'n'roll and pop artists. I found a wonderful example of the fact that the song still inspires a new generation of jazz musicians to show off their best. - From a live performance at the Kids in Jazz, Norway 2013 Polina Tarasenko (Ukraine) is featured on trombone accompanied by Risa Takahashi (Japan), bass guitar, Trym Karlsen (Norway), drums, Odd Andre Elveland (Norway), piano - enjoy!

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Jo 

keepswinging@live.nl

The popular song Way Down Yonder In New Orleans was composed in 1922 by John Turner Layton, Jr. with lyrics by Henry Creamer. The song had its debut in the Broadway musical production Spice of 1922 and was soon recorded by numerous artists. Both popular and jazz artist have made the song a part of the standard American repertoire. Way Down Yonder In New Orleans keeps inspiring - even young people - to show off their talents

Retrospect Keep Swinging (old) Oscar Aleman Choro Music Flexible Records Hit of the Week-Durium Friends of the Keep Swinging blog Keep Swinging Contributions