Jazz Focus

Latest Episodes:

Chick Webb - 1934! Sep 07, 2023

Show notes

The first regular band Chick Webb had at the Savoy Ballroom before Ella Fitzgerald joined. Taft Jordan, Bobby Stark, Sandy Williams, Pete Clark, Edgar Sampson, Elmer Williams, Joe Steele, Don Kirkpatrick, John Truehart, John Kirby and Webb himself created some classic big band sounds largely directed by the compositions and arrangements by Sampson. Records for Columbia, OKeh, Decca.

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WETF Show - Duke Ellington Trio 1953 Sep 07, 2023

Show notes

Great Capitol recordings from a fairly unheralded period in Ellington's career. These show his abilities as a soloist - accompanied by bass and drums he has free reign to interpret his own works (some standard, some not) and one magnificent version of "All The Things You Are" from 1957.

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WETF Show - James P Johnson solos, 1921-1930 Aug 30, 2023

Show notes

James P. Johnson solos - Great solo piano recordings by the great Harlem Stride master from 1921-1930. Several standards and pop tunes, but mostly originals by Johnson!

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Lawson-Haggart Jazz Band . . Yank Lawson and Bob Haggart for Decca Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

Great band that made numerous LPs for Decca from 1951-58 organized around themes - Jelly Roll Morton, Ragtime, King Oliver, ODJB, etc. Featuring the core members - Yank Lawson, Lou McGarity, Bill Stegmeyer, Lou Stein, Bob Haggart and Cliff Leeman, the group was occasionally expanded by Peanuts Hucko, Cutty Cutshall, Billy Butterfield, Bud Freeman and George Barnes - a selection of their dixieland and swing work!

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WETF Show - Flute! Wayman Carver and Albert Socarras Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

The flute wasn't a prominent instrument in jazz or dance bands before the 1950's, but here are some excellent outliers . . the Cuban Albert Socarras recorded with Bennett's Swamplanders, Lizzie Miles and Clarence Williams (with Ed Allen, King Oliver, Arville Harris and Cyrus St. Clair) and Wayman Carver was with Benny Carter, Spike Hughes, Chick Webb and Ella Fitzgerald (Taft Jordan, Red Allen, Bobby Stark, Coleman Hawkins, Chu Berry, Teddy McCrae, Don Kirkpatrick, Teddy Wilson, Sid Catlett and others) and as a bonus, Charles Frazier with Willie Bryant's Orchestra.

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Teddy Grace - great singer of the 1930's with Bud Freeman, Bob Crosby, Jack Teagarden and others Aug 21, 2023

Show notes

Hardly anyone has heard of Teddy Grace, but her handful of records (two CDs worth) from the 1930's demonstrate a singular talent, appreciated by musicians if not the public. Here she is with Bud Freeman's Summa Cum Laude Band, the Bob Crosby Orchestra and small groups featuring Bobby Hackett, Buddy Morrow, Jack Teagarden, Buster Bailey, Charlie Shavers, Billy Kyle, Sonny Lee and Slats Long

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Early British Trad - George Webb, Freddy Randall, 1943-49 Aug 15, 2023

Show notes

The beginnings of the traditional jazz boom in England - New Orleans-styled dixieland by Freddy Mirfield's Garbage Men, Freddy Randall and His Band and George Webb's Dixielanders . .Wally Fawkes, Humphrey Lyttleton, Al Mead, Johnny Dankworth, Bruce Turner . . great hot sounds by young musicians!

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Bud Freeman's Summa Cum Laude Orchestra 1939-1940 Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

Great eight piece band ushering in the era of Jazz nostalgia! With the leader on tenor sax was Max Kaminsky, Pee Wee Russell and trombonist and arranger Brad Gowans setting the style. In the rhythm section were Dave Bowman, Eddie Condon and several bassists and drummers.

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WETF Show - Fletcher Henderson, 1933 Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

Great 1933 sessions by the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra featuring Red Allen, Bobby Stark, Dicky Wells, Hilton Jefferson, Russell Procope, Coleman Hawkins, John Kirby, Horace Henderson and Walter Johnson. Great arrangements by both Hendersons and Will Hudson and some of Hawkins' first ballad performances.

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WETF Show - Bobby Hackett Orchestra 1938-40 Aug 11, 2023

Show notes

First sides under the great cornetist's name - ranging from straight Condon-styled dixieland through progressive big band sounds in 1939 and 40 to Bix recreations. Also featuring George Brunies, Brad Gowans, Pee Wee Russell, Bernie Billings, Hank Kmen, Dave Bowman and Eddie Condon

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