Jazz enthusiasts like to celebrate anniversaries, but this one has weight: on November 12, 1925, Louis Armstrong went into the OKeh studios in Chicago to record his first session as a leader. So let us all say AMEN.
The jazz community understood in some deep way that when Louis Armstrong left Corona, New York, for the ethereal realm, that mourning was in order but celebration even more so. More than fervent renditions of HELLO, DOLLY!, or MACK THE KNIFE, or WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD. One such celebration took place thanks to The New York Jazz Repertory Company, another one of George Wein’s fine ideas, which began giving concerts in 1974.
There were tributes to Lunceford, Ellington, McShann, Monk, Bix, and of course Louis — his scope requiring two evenings. I saw several of these concerts and they were heartfelt and energized, because so many of the originals were alive and well, and the supporting cast was made up of the best New York musicians. Cootie Williams was part of an Ellington tribute; Joe Venuti, Paul Mertz, and Chauncey Morehouse graced a Bix evening; Dizzy Gillespie, Earl Hines, and Jay McShann gave a tribute to Charlie Parker deep authenticity. There was a good deal of transcription — a big band playing note-for-note reproductions of, say, BLACK AND TAN FANTASY — but they seemed fresh and compelling, and there was room for on-the-spot improvising.
In Carnegie Hall, to pay tribute to Louis, Wein could call upon Bobby Hackett, Ray Nance, Vic Dickenson, Taft Jordan, Ruby Braff, Doc Cheatham, and other colleagues and admirers.
The Louis program was so successful, especially with his solos scored for three trumpets with electrifying results, that it became a touring package under the deeply swinging and perceptive leadership of Dick Hyman. What began at Carnegie Hall (and I attended both 1974 concerts, with concealed cassette recorder) went worldwide. I have posted videos of the NYJRC at the Nice Jazz Festival, but what follows, although in black-and-white, is a true surprise. Ladies and gentlemen, Louis evoked in Poland.
The New York Jazz Repertory Company in Poland, a975, arranged and conducted by Dick Hyman, piano, Pee Wee Erwin, Jimmie Maxwell, Joe Newman, trumpet, vocal; Kenny Davern, soprano saxophone, clarinet; Eddie Hubble, trombone; George Duvivier, double bass; Marty Grosz, guitar / banjo; Bobby Rosengarden, drums; Blanche Thomas, vocal. WEST END BLUES / CREOLE BELLES / FLEE AS A BIRD – OH, DIDN’T HE RAMBLE? / CHIMES BLUES / CAKE WALKIN’ BABIES FROM HOME / POTATO HEAD BLUES / ST. LOUIS BLUES (Thomas) / YOU’VE BEEN A GOOD OLD WAGON (Thomas) / WILD MAN BLUES (Davern) / WILLIE THE WEEPER / MONDAY DATE (Hyman) / WEATHER BIRD / S.O.L. BLUES /DING DONG DADDY (NC):
Louis Armstrong is in our hearts. And his friends sound so happy when evoking him.
This just in: another marvel from 1948, too good to ignore —
May your happiness increase!
JAZZ LIVES 