I don’t wish I could shimmy like my Sister Kate.
I wish I could play trumpet like Bent Persson. Or at least I wish I could hear him on a much more regular basis — which is why this video from Sweden both satisfies and tantalizes.
Here is Bent with a group — his Harlem Jazz Camels — friends who have played together since 1978. They’ve made several CDs, but here they are in concert in the Aneby (Sweden) concert hall, just two days ago. I am very grateful to the mysterious “jazze1947” for posting this on YouTube, and you will be, too. The band is Goran Eriksson, alto, clarinet; Claes Brodda, clarinet, baritone, tenor sax; Stephan Lindsein, trombone; Lasse Lindback, string bass, Ulf Lindberg, piano; Sigge Delert, drums; Goran Stachewsky, guitar and banjo.
Their inspiration for this particular performance is a rare but notable 1933 session featuring Henry “Red” Allen and Coleman Hawkins — the two sides were rejected at the time but test pressings survived of SISTER KATE and SOMEDAY SWEETHEART. The other musicians were Dicky Wells, Russell Procope, Bernard Addison, Don Kirkpatrick, Bob Ysaguire or John Kirby, and Walter Johnson.
Bent and the Camels do not copy the famous solos — but keep the swinging ambiance of the original session. Hear for yourself:
“jazze1947” even shows up in New York City in search of the real thing: you can visit his channel here. With luck, perhaps he recorded more from this wonderful concert.
JAZZ LIVES 