Jazz origins

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In Blues, Jazz
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This is an unusual Sunday session; however, Monday is coming fast, and we feel we need to get this material published before we try to get into ‘The Black Bottom.”

We have already introduced you to Sidney Bechet; now it is time to do the same for Tommy Ladnier. Here is something about him from Wikipedia:

“Thomas J. “Tommy” Ladnier (May 28, 1900 — June 4, 1939) was an American jazz trumpeter. Clarinetist/writer Mezz Mezzrow rated him second only to Louis Armstrong. Ladnier moved to New Orleans in his youth. He was influenced by early New Orleans trumpet/cornet players Bunk Johnson and Joe “King” Oliver. About 1919 he moved to Chicago, where he started making records in 1924. In 1926 he moved to New York City to join the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. Two years later Ladnier toured Europe with Sam Wooding’s band, then returned to the States to rejoin Fletcher Henderson, and then played in Noble Sissle’s Orchestra, with whom he again toured Europe. In the 1930s Ladnier co-led a band with Sidney Bechet called The New Orleans Feetwarmers, with whom Ladnier made some of his best recordings.”

Here now is a 1932 Victor recording of “Shag,” an “early” composition by Bechet. We are going to post the textual notes as we found them:

“One could imagine that this was inspired by Shag tobacco. There are some notes attached to this download stating that the Soprano Saxaphone playing here is outstanding and Ernest Meyers scat singing are fantastic here – I agree but then Sidnet Bechet never ceases to amaze a child genius who never changed. Sidney Bechet loved to play with the small band – so he could dominate proceedings – this was recorded when there was little demand for small band jazz – the Great Depression was in full swing in time with the Big Band era music but Sidney is still there. New Orleans Feetwarmers The band: Tommy Ladnier on trumpet; Teddy Dixon on trombone; Sidney Bechet on soprano sax; Hank Duncan on piano; Ernest Wilson Myers on bass; Morris Moreland on drums; Billy Maxey Vocal. Submitted: ULAJAZZ Uploaded March 04 2012”

This is hot jazz at its best.