DUKE ELLINGTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1937 | The Classics Chronological Series – 675 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In addition to seven selections by the Duke Ellington Orchestra, this interesting CD has a number released by Ivie Anderson's name ("The Old Plantation") and small-group dates full of Ellington stars but led by Cootie Williams, Barney Bigard, and Johnny Hodges, plus four numbers by the Gotham Stompers (which mixes together Ellington and Chick Webb sidemen). No matter who is leading the particular group, Ellington is very much under control, often using the more spontaneous combo settings as a way of trying out new tunes. Among the more memorable selections are "Blue Reverie," "Whispering Tiger" (which is really "Tiger Rag"), "Caravan," and "Azure." Scott Yanow   Tracklist + Credits :

MEZZ MEZZROW – 1928-1936 | The Chronogical Classics – 713 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Mezz Mezzrow was never that strong a player. His technique was weak and although he played with enthusiasm and was decent on the blues, he fumbled a lot. However, Mezz did appear on a lot of significant recordings through the years, and some are on this Classics CD. Playing tenor, Mezzrow is heard in 1928 with the Chicago Rhythm Kings, the Jungle Kings (the same group under a different name), Frank Teschemacher's Chicagoans, and the Louisiana Rhythm Kings. Those six titles by overlapping bands feature such major players early in their careers as cornetist Muggsy Spanier, clarinetist Frank Teschemacher, pianist Joe Sullivan, Eddie Condon (on banjo), and drummer Gene Krupa; Red McKenzie takes a vocal on "There'll Be Some Changes Made." Also on this CD are eight swing-oriented numbers from 1933-1934 by a big band headed by Mezzrow and including such top musicians as trumpeter Max Kaminsky, trombonist Floyd O'Brien, altoist Benny Carter, Bud Freeman on tenor, and either Teddy Wilson or Willie "The Lion" Smith on piano. Despite the inclusion of such titles as "Free Love" and "Dissonance," the music is essentially no-nonsense swing. This CD is rounded off by four selections from Art Karle and His Boys (mainly showcases for the dated vocals of Chick Bullock, although trumpeter Frankie Newton is in the backup band) and two songs from Mezz's first 1936 session as a leader. The excellent and often essential music is obviously of greatest interest for the contributions of the many all-stars. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist + Credits :

LOUIS JORDAN AND HIS TYMPANY FIVE – 1934-1940 | The Chronogical Classics – 636 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

There's a lot more to Louis Jordan than "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie." Here is an opportunity to check out the man's very earliest recordings, beginning with a series of rare treats that fill in the blank spots at the beginning of his story. It's worth having the entire disc just for the sake of "I Can't Dance (I Got Ants in My Pants)." This 1934 Clarence Williams record clearly demonstrates where Jordan would soon be heading as a performer, and what would distinguish him for the rest of his career. Jordan's exacting delivery and sense of timing are already evident, and Williams sounds delighted to be able to interact with someone with a distinct knack for humorous bantering. It's a shame they didn't knock off another dozen tunes together! Jordan's work with Chick Webb is represented here by three vocals from 1937. He sings very sweetly on "Gee But You're Swell" and "It's Swell of You," sounding so sugary that a lot of folks probably wouldn't even recognize him. "Rusty Hinge" is a bit livelier, and Jordan puts a tiny bit of cayenne in his honeyed vocal as the band swings out. Chick Webb's orchestra helped to define the big-band sound of the '30s, and "Hinge" is a good example of that archetypal style. The first records that Jordan made as a leader were cut in December of 1938. His band at that time was named after their regular jam spot, the Elk's Rendezvous Club, located at 484 Lenox Avenue in beautiful Harlem, U.S.A. It seems as though having recorded with Webb for Decca must have enabled Jordan to continue working for that label as a leader in his own right. Rodney Sturgis sings three pleasant tunes in a warm, smooth voice -- "So Good" is the catchiest -- then Jordan takes over as vocalist. "Honey in the Bee Ball" is much lighter fare than the punchy stuff Jordan would later become famous for. A very silly "Barnacle Bill the Sailor" has ridiculous falsetto vocals from both Jordan and the band. But then things start to coalesce. Did you ever wonder who put the "Tympany" in the Tympany Five? Well, here's the answer. On the session of March 29, 1939, Walter Martin augmented his regular drum kit with a kettledrum. The instrumental "Flat Face" has a whole lot of ascending and descending runs on the tympanum, and the instrument is marginally audible throughout the rest of the material on this disc. Even when you think it isn't there, Martin uses it like an enormous tom-tom to add ballast to the band. The pedal drum with variable pitch would gradually disappear but the band was to be called the Tympany Five for years to come. Ballsy tenor man Lemuel Fowler was eventually replaced by the equally tough Stafford "Pazuzza" Simon. Both of these saxophonists made good use of their lower registers. Courtney Williams plays smudge-pot trumpet and Jordan demonstrates what a kick-ass alto player he was. By 1940 all the ingredients are there, anticipating the well-known hit records this little band would soon be churning out in rapid succession. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist + Credits :

ELLA FITZGERALD – 1935-1937 | The Classics Chronological Series – 500 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first of six Ella Fitzgerald CDs in the European label Classics "complete" series has her earliest 25 recordings with two numbers ("My Melancholy Baby" and "All My Life") from a session with Teddy Wilson, three songs (including "Goodnight My Love") cut with Benny Goodman's big band, four tunes from her initial session as a leader and the remainder with Chick Webb's Orchestra which mainly acted as a backup band for the young singer. Even at the age of 17, Ella Fitzgerald had a beautiful voice and a strong sense of swing (although she would not seriously scat for another decade). "I'll Chase the Blues Away," "When I Get Low I Get High," "Sing Me a Swing Song" and "You'll Have to Swing It" are among the highpoints of this fine set. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

ELLA FITZGERALD – 1937-1938 | The Classics Chronological Series – 506 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second of six CDs in the Classics label's complete reissue of Ella Fitzgerald's early recordings features the singer as a teenager with the Chick Webb Orchestra, in addition to leading two sessions that use Webb's sidemen and performing a pair of songs ("Big Boy Blue" and "Dedicated to You") with the Mills Brothers. Highlights include "I Want to Be Happy," "If Dreams Come True" and her big hit, "A-Tisket, A-Tasket." Although not yet the brilliant jazz singer she would become, Fitzgerald already had a highly appealing voice and the ability to swing on any song she was given. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

ELLA FITZGERALD – 1938-1939 | The Classics Chronological Series – 518 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

After her giant hit of "A-Tisket, A-Tasket," the already-popular Ella Fitzgerald became the main attraction with the Chick Webb Orchestra and the majority of their recordings from 1938 feature the singer who was then 20. She is particularly strong on the ballads (such as "You Can't Be Mine") and had a hit in "Undecided" (the lone 1939 selection on this CD) although her work on the novelties is less memorable. All of these Classics releases are worth picking up for a definitive (and very complete) look at early Fitzgerald. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

ELLA FITZGERALD – 1939 | The Classics Chronological Series – 525 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Unlike GRP, which has merely reissued the "best" of early Ella Fitzgerald domestically, the European Classics label has released all of the great singer's early recordings (from the 1935-41 period) on six CDs. This, the fourth volume, has her final recordings with Chick Webb's Orchestra (before the legendary drummer's premature death) and her first after she took control of his big band. Fitzgerald is best on "'Tain't What You Do" and the ballads (particularly "Don't Worry About Me," "Little White Lies," "Stairway to the Stars" and "Out of Nowhere") although she is less memorable on such uptempo novelties as "Chew-Chew-Chew Your Bubble Gum" and "I Want the Waiter with the Water." This CD is well worth acquiring along with the other entries in this definitive series. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

JIMMY MUNDY AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1937-1947 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1200 (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Jimmy Mundy was a valuable arranger during the swing era, contributing important charts to many big bands, particularly those of Earl Hines, Benny Goodman, and Count Basie. He had a short-lived orchestra of his own in 1939, but it did not make much of an impression. This CD has all of the sessions that Mundy led during the period. He is heard on two numbers with a septet that is mostly taken from Earl Hines' 1937 band, including trumpeter Walter Fuller on vocals, trombonist Trummy Young, guest drummer Chick Webb, and Mundy himself on tenor. His four selections with his 1939 orchestra are here (clarinetist Jimmy Hamilton, pianist Bill Doggett, and drummer Shadow Wilson are the only future names in the band), plus selections from three other ensembles from 1945-1947. Four numbers feature a novelty vocal group called the Ginger Snaps, one ensemble has trumpeter Ray Linn and Lucky Thompson on tenor, and four V-discs feature an all-star Los Angeles band with trumpeter Clyde Hurley, altoist Willie Smith, and Thompson. This formerly rare music should please swing fans. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

CHICK WEBB AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1929-1934 (1990) The Classics Chronological Series – 502 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The perfect way to acquire drummer Chick Webb's recordings is to get his two Classics CDs which contain all of his performances as a leader, other than Ella Fitzgerald's features (which are in a separate Ella series) and a few numbers from Webb's final dates. On the first of the CDs, Webb leads a pickup band in 1929 (for "Dog Bottom" and "Jungle Mama"), an early orchestra in 1931 (highlighted by the first version ever of Benny Carter's "Blues in My Heart"), two numbers from 1933, and all of his classic swing sides of 1934. With arranger/altoist Edgar Sampson providing such compositions as "When Dreams Come True," "Don't Be That Way," "Blue Lou," and "Stompin' at the Savoy" (all of which would become better-known for their slightly later Benny Goodman recordings), trumpeter Taft Jordan taking some vocals purposely influenced by Louis Armstrong, Jordan, trombonist Sandy Williams, and tenor saxophonist Elmer Williams coming up with consistently hot solos, and the drummer/leader driving the orchestra, this was one of the top jazz big bands of the era. Highly recommended as is Classics' 1935-1938 Chick Webb volume. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist :
1    The Jungle Band-    Dog Bottom 2:40
Vocals – Ward Pinkett
2    The Jungle Band–    Jungle Mama    3:19
3    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    Heebie Jeebies 3:08
Arranged By – Benny Carter
4    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    Blues In My Heart 3:09
Arranged By – Benny Carter
Vocals – Louis Bacon
5    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    Soft And Sweet 3:07
Arranged By – Benny Carter
6    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    On The Sunny Side Of The Street 2:54
Vocals – Taft Jordan
7    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    Darktown Strutters' Ball    2:51
8    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    When Dreams Come True    3:23
9    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    Let's Get Together 3:05
Arranged By – Edgar Sampson
10    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    I Can't Dance (I Got Ants In My Pants) 2:58
Vocals – Taft Jordan
11    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    Imagination 3:25
Vocals – Chuck Richards
12    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    Why Should I Beg For Love 3:07
Arranged By – Edgar Sampson
Vocals – Taft Jordan
13    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    Stompin' At The Savoy    3:11
14    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    Blue Minor 2:47
Arranged By – Edgar Sampson
15    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    True 2:44
Vocals – Charles Linton
16    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    Lonesome Moments 2:45
Arranged By – Edgar Sampson
17    Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra–    If It Ain't Love 3:00
Vocals – Charles Linton
18    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    That Rhythm Man 2:57
Vocals – Taft Jordan
19    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    On The Sunny Side Of The Street 2:50
Vocals – Taft Jordan
20    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    Lona 2:49
Arranged By – Edgar Sampson
21    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    Blue Minor 3:06
Arranged By – Edgar Sampson
22    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    It's All Over Because We're Through 3:17
Vocals – Taft Jordan
23    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    Don't Be That Way    2:38
24    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    What A Shuffle 2:57
Arranged By – Edgar Sampson
25    Chick Webb And His Orchestra–    Blue Lou    3:07
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Edgar Sampson (tracks: 6 to 25), Pete Clark (tracks: 6 to 25)
Banjo, Guitar – John Trueheart
Bass [String Bass] – John Kirby (tracks: 6 to 25)
Brass Bass, Bass [String Bass] – Elmer James (tracks: 1 to 5)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter (tracks: 3 to 5), Hilton Jefferson (tracks: 1 to 5), Louis Jordan (tracks: 1, 2)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Elmer Williams
Drums – Chick Webb (tracks: 1, 3 to 25)
Piano – Don Kirkpatrick (tracks: 1 to 5, 18 to 25), Joe Steele (tracks: 6 to 17)
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Wayman Carver (tracks: 14 to 25)
Trombone – Robert Horton (tracks: 1, 2), Claude Jones (tracks: 18 to 25), Fernando Arbello (tracks: 14 to 17), Jimmy Harrison (tracks: 3 to 5), Sandy Williams (tracks: 6 to 25)
Trumpet – Bobby Stark (tracks: 14 to 25), Edwin Swayzee (tracks: 1, 2), Louis Bacon (tracks: 3 to 5), Louis Hunt (tracks: 3 to 5), Mario Bauzá (tracks: 6 to 25), Reunald Jones (tracks: 6 to 13), Shelton Hemphill (tracks: 3 to 5), Taft Jordan (tracks: 6 to 25), Ward Pinkett (tracks: 1, 2)

CHICK WEBB AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1935-1938 (1990) The Classics Chronological Series – 517 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

To a large extent, the Chick Webb big band is now chiefly remembered as the launching pad for Ella Fitzgerald, but during its peak years it was one of the top swing bands. This 25-song CD from the European Classics label reissues all of the band's recordings from a three-year period that did not feature Fitzgerald as a solo singer; she does make a brief appearance on "Wake up and Live." Although there are nine vocals on this set (including three from a young Louis Jordan), the emphasis is very much on the band's instrumental talents. Such soloists as trumpeters Taft Jordan and Bobby Stark, trombonist Sandy Williams, Elmer Williams and Ted McRae on tenors, and altoist Edgar Sampson are heard from while the drummer/leader propels the ensembles. A special highlight are the four numbers by Chick Webb's Little Chicks, an unusual quintet featuring the pioneering jazz flutist Wayman Carver and clarinetist Chauncey Haughton. This CD is highly recommended to swing fans. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist :
1     Down Home Rag 2:52
Sam M. Lewis / Wilbur Sweatman
2     Are You Here to Stay? 3:11
Kenneth Harrison / Edgar Sampson
3     Moonlight and Magnolias 2:51
Dizzy Gillespie
4     I May Be Wrong (But I Think You're Wonderful) 3:03
Harry Ruskin / Henry Sullivan
5     Facts and Figures 2:33
Edgar Sampson
6     Go Harlem 2:20
James P. Johnson / Andy Razaf
7     Love Marches On 2:52
Charles Tobias
8     There's Frost on the Moon  2:49
Fred E. Ahlert / Victor Young
9     Gee But You're Swell 2:37
Charles Tobias
10     Rusty Hinge 3:06
Lew Brown
11     Wake up and Live 2:37
Mack Gordon / Harry Revel
12     It's Swell of You 3:12
Mack Gordon / Harry Revel
13     Clap Hands! Here Comes Charlie 2:31
Ballard MacDonald / Joseph Meyer / Billy Rose
14     That Naughty Waltz 3:01
Sol P. Levy / Edwin Stanley
15     In a Little Spanish Town 2:40
Sam M. Lewis / Mabel Wayne / Joe Young
16     I Got Rhythm 2:31
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
17     I Ain't Got Nobody 3:02
Roger Graham / Dave Peyton / Spencer Williams
18     Strictly Jive 3:17
Chick Webb & His Orchestra
19     Sweet Sue, Just You 2:44
Will J. Harris / Victor Young
20     Squeeze Me 3:10
Fats Waller / Clarence Williams
21     Harlem Congo 3:14
Harry White
22     Midnite in a Madhouse (Midnite in Harlem) 2:33
Larry Clinton
23     Azure 3:12
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
24     Spinnin' the Webb 3:04 3:04
Ella Fitzgerald / Chick Webb
25     Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away) 2:45
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / Gus Kahn
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Edgar Sampson (tracks: 1 to 14), Louis Jordan (tracks: 18, 20 to 25), Pete Clark (2) (tracks: 1 to 14)
Banjo, Guitar – John Trueheart (tracks: 1 to 14)
Bass [String Bass] – Beverly Peer (tracks: 15 to 25), Bill Thomas (3) (tracks: 3 to 14), John Kirby (tracks: 1, 2)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Chauncey Haughton (tracks: 15 to 25)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Ted McRae (tracks: 6 to 14, 18, 20 to 25)
Drums – Chick Webb
Guitar – Bobby Johnson (tracks: 18, 20 to 25)
Piano – Don Kirkpatrick (4) (tracks: 1 to 14), Tommy Fulford (tracks: 15 to 25)
Tenor Saxophone – Elmer Williams (tracks: 1 to 5)
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Wayman Carver
Trombone – Claude Jones (tracks: 1 to 5), George Matthews (2) (tracks: 23 to 25), Nat Story (tracks: 6 to 14, 18, 20 to 25), Sandy Williams (tracks: 1 to 14, 18, 20 to 25)
Trumpet – Bobby Stark (tracks: 1 to 14, 18, 20 to 25), Mario Bauzá (tracks: 1 to 14, 18, 20 to 25), Taft Jordan (tracks: 1 to 14, 18, 20 to 25)

LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1931-1932 | The Classics Chronological Series – 536 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

During the long cold winter of 1931-1932, Louis Armstrong stationed himself in Chicago, where he spun out the last of his OKeh recordings. This volume of vintage jazz opens with 16 of these marvelous sides. Backed by nine resilient players, the trumpeter sings on each and every track, handling light novelties and romantic ballads with relative ease. He makes "Lazy River" sound like he wrote it himself. "Chinatown" has a magnificent spoken intro and vocal by the leader, followed by what he describes as "a little argument between the saxophones and the trumpet," culminating of course in a dazzling display of Armstrong's unsurpassed virtuosity. Brimming with humorous commentary and theatrical patter, "The Lonesome Road" represents a special subgenre of sanctified church burlesques. After Armstrong asks aloud "What kind of church is this?," someone can't resist interjecting a flippant salute to "you vipers." Apparently limbered up and in the mood for conversation, Armstrong introduces his musicians with relish all throughout a fine version of "I Got Rhythm." His handling of "Kickin' the Gong Around" is less theatrical but swings more solidly than Cab Calloway's hyperventilated version. Always ready to outdo even himself, Armstrong recorded a sequel to his "Tiger Rag" with someone loudly counting off the number of choruses as he blew them. What appears to have been his last OKeh record, "Keepin' Out of Mischief Now" backed with "Lawd, You Made the Night Too Long," was recorded in Chicago on March 11, 1932, and given the serial number 41560. His next opportunity to record in front of his own band occurred in Camden, NJ, on December 8th. Armstrong was now officially working for the Victor record company. His 11-piece band included trombone legend Big Charlie Green, reedman and composer Edgar Sampson, and percussion wizard Chick Webb, who provided amazing locomotive effects on his snare drum on "Hobo, You Can't Ride This Train." Mezz Mezzrow is said to have been responsible for ringing the bells on this track. This excellent segment of the Louis Armstrong chronology ends with a four-and-a-half-minute "Medley of Armstrong Hits," with a nine-piece Victor studio band backing him every step of the way. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist :
1     Lazy River 3:08
Sidney Arodin / Hoagy Carmichael
2     Chinatown, My Chinatown 3:21
William Jerome / Jean Schwartz
3     Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away) 3:43
Harry Barris / Ted Koehler / Billy Moll
4     Stardust 3:35
Hoagy Carmichael / Mitchell Parish
5     You Can Depend on Me 3:24
Charles Carpenter / Louis Dunlap / Earl Hines
6     Georgia on My Mind 3:26
Hoagy Carmichael / Stuart Gorrell
7     The Lonesome Road 3:39
Gene Austin / Nat Shilkret
8     I Got Rhythm 3:10
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
9     Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea 3:06
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
10     Kickin' the Gong Around 3:17
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
11     Home (When Shadows Fall) 3:11
Harry Clarkson / P. V. Steeden Jr / Peter Van Steeden
12     All of Me 3:03
Gerald Marks / Seymour Simons
13     Love, You Funny Thing 3:47
Fred E. Ahlert / Roy Turk
14     The New Tiger Rag 3:29
Nick LaRocca
15     Keepin' Out of Mischief Now 3:38
Andy Razaf / Fats Waller
16     Lawd, You Made the Night Too Long 3:11
Patrick Lewis / Victor Young
17     That's My Home 3:11
Ben Ellison / Otis Rene / Leon René
18     Hobo, You Can't Ride This Train 3:01
Louis Armstrong
19     I Hate to Leave You Now 3:11
Dick / Dorothy Dick / Harry Link / Fats Waller
20     You'll Wish You'd Never Been Born 3:16
Louis Armstrong
21     Medley of Armstrong Hits, Pt. 2: When You're Smiling/St. James ... 4:32
Harry Akst / Joe Goodwin / Patrick Lewis / Joe Primrose / Larry Shay / Victor Young