THE 2012 ATLANTA JAZZ PARTY WAS GREAT FUN: RUSS PHILLIPS and FRIENDS, “YOU TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ME”

I will have more to say about the delights of the 2012 Atlanta Jazz Party — wonderful musicians, a pleasant setting, nice people making everything happen, meeting old friends and making new ones — as I share more videos.

But right now I thought I would let the music speak for itself, as it does so sweetly and eloquently.  On the first evening of the party, April 20, 2012, trombonist Russ Phillips took the stand with a small assemblage of creative fellows who know how to make the music soar without making too much of a show: Jon-Erik Kellso and Duke Heitger on trumpets; Allan Vache, clarinet; Mark Shane, piano; Richard Simon, string bass; Chuck Redd, drums.  They floated their way with great ease through YOU TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ME — and pay special attention to the philosophical dialogue for trumpets in the middle.  Delicious conversational utterances in the middle of a splendid performance:

Was ever the idea of being taken advantage of so tenderly dramatized?

For those of you who are — as I was — gently swept away by the sounds, I encourage you to click atlanta and learn more about the 2013 party.  Being there is even better than watching the videos, I assure you.

May your happiness increase.

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DRINK HEARTY!

Wonderful inducements to imbibing from Henry “Red” Allen. Thanks to the ever-diligent Franz Hoffmann for making our day brighter!  These 1958 Ballantine Ale jingles feature Jerry Jerome (and is that Milt Hinton I hear?) advertising a nice strong ale:

And about a decade earlier, Red (with J.C. Higginbotham and Don Stovall) offers some good advice:

Carry on, carry on!

May your happiness increase.

NOW HERE COMES THE BEAUTIFUL PART: 1933 / 2012

Here is a wondrous (and famous) 1933 Louis Armstrong record, LAUGHIN’ LOUIE — which combines the comic pretense of the brassman who can’t play because he is laughing too hard with Louis’ stunning a cappella rendition of “Love Song,” a silent-movie theme by Minnie T. Wright (thanks to Vince Giordano for this discovery):

Imagine a world without Louis Armstrong.  Impossible and unthinkable.

Happy Birthday, Pops.  You are the beautiful part.  And my use of the present tense is no stage joke.

For the ultimate blogpost on LAUGHIN’ LOUIE, I offer the one written by the Louis-master, Ricky Riccardi — a feast for the ear and heart.  And thanks to all the vipers and musicians in the house: Clarence, Little Bobby Hacksaw, Milton Mesirow, and a thousand more.

May your happiness increase.