Poll: Pre-Swing Big Band

[Chas]

Your choice for "Best" jazz-influenced big band of the pre-swing era. I apologize if your band isn't on the list - so feel free to write in. I admit that I'm not the foremost expert on the pre-swing bands here in the FL, so play on.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I've never found a Don Redman record I didn't like.

 

[vitanola]

What, no Art Hickam, Paul Ash, George Olson or California Ramblers?

O.K. I'll make with the neckbones and saurkraut, and STOP KIDDING!
Those early white bands are a lot of fun, but their music dates terribly, sort of like Wilbur Sweatman or Thomas Morris on the sepia side

I had to go with Henderson, though the Moten and Goldkette organisations (white and black) were close seconds.

For me the deciding factor was the consistent quality over a long period of years. Imagine a band at the forefront of the music in both the days of "Doo-Doodle-Oom" or "Beale Street Mama" AND "Wild Party", "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and "Knock Knock".

All I've to say is Macushla Pajdav Dana!

Try "Knock Knock, Who's there?" by both Henderson and then the small group of Eddie South. Speaking of Eddie South, can you imagine anyone else who can make the old fiddle chesnut "Hjere Kati" SWING?

 

[dhermann1]

I voted for McKinney's Cotton Pickers just because I thought they might be less well known than some of the other names. I really couldn't pick a favorite out of this group. But I totally agree with Lizzie about the wonderful Don Redman.

 

[swinggal]

I love McKinneys!

 

[Fletch]

No way for me to pick a fave, either. I'll say only that many Isham Jones and Ray Noble records were more jazz-worthy than music history cares to admit.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I'd also put in a vote for the ARC house band -- call it Bob Causer's Cornellians or Chick Bullock's Levee Loungers or whatever other name they wanted to use, they specialized in a very relaxed proto-swing.

 

[Chas]

I'm perfectly ok with the poll being as much about the bands that aren't on it as the ones that are.

 

[vitanola]

Well, how about Oliver Naylor's Orchestra, or Gowan's Rhapsody Makers, (O. K., the Brad Gowan group is a bit too peppy to really swing, but "I'll Fly to Hawaii" is a hoot nonetheless).

For serious swing, there is the Luis Russell band, best represented by the famous "Ease On Down" (the record labels bear the nonsensical moniker "Case On Dawn")

What of the Whoopee Makers? Charles Johnson's Paradise Orchestra, The New Orleans Owls ("The White Ghost Shivers is particularly nice).

Alphonso Trent, one of the best territory bands BAR NONE. Try his 1933 waxing of "I Found a New Baby" on your machine.

From Texas we have Phil Baxter and his Orchestra. His "I Don't Love nobody but You" is a swinging blues slow drag, but with accordion.

Another fine Terriory group is Sunny Clapp and His Band O' Sunshine. "Come Easy, Go Easy Love" is a record that everyone should hear at least once.

The Twin cities offer us Walter Anderson and His Golden Pheasant Hoodlums playing his amazing arrangement of "Alabama Stomp" featuring what sounds like triple-tounged brass bass.

From K. C. we could select George E. Lee and his Orchestra, playing, perhaps his famous "Ruff Scufflin", or Walter Paige's Blue Devils.

Then we have my old favorites The Louisiana Rhythm Kings, playing "The Meanest Kind Of Blues" or perhaps "That's-A-Plenty".

Even Benny Krueger had his good days, when he waxed numbers like "How Many Times".

Tiny Parham had a fine band. Try his "Subway Sobs" or "Blue Island Blues".

The Gulf Coast Seven's "Daylight Savin' Blues has much to recomend it.

Then there is the Mason-Dixon orchestra, a Trumbauer aggregation which may just feature a temporarily sobered Bix on third trumpet Thnere is a trumeter other than Margulies and Secrist noticable on the "What A Day' and "Alabammy Snow" sides)


Bubber Miley & His Milage Maker's "I lost My Gal From Memphis" is another superb side.

Then of course The Chocolate Dandies. Their "Bugle Call Rag" and "Dee Blues are superfine.

Zack White's Chocolate Beau Brummels are a sorely overlooked group, their "Wailin' Blues" and "Tight Like That" are really good.

then the earliest Big Band with a swing, James Reese Europe's Castle House Orchestra. Their recordings of "Castle House Rag" and "Down Home Rag" are milestones in American music.

 

[Cousin Hepcat]

Ellington.

Always amazing to compare different arrangements of the same song from the same era, for different record labels, & hear such different "landscapes" - one bright & optimistic, another dark & forboding. Incredible arranging talent.

 

[Flivver]

How about Irving Aaronson and His Commanders?

They were big with the college crowd in the late 20s.

 

[SGT Rocket]

other

Well, you know, the band I really like wasn't on the list. I like Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. But, I'm not sure if you would call it pre-swing. It's sort of a Texas Swing. [huh]

 

[The Reno Kid]

Duke Ellington.











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