DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #34: At Sundown

As a guitar player, I have a predilection for Jazz guitarists.

This week's song is by a white American who came from a musical family and started his professional career at the age of 11: George Van Eps (7th August 1913-29th November 1998).

George started to play banjo like his father Fred, who was a famous banjo virtuoso and sound engineer.

At the age of 13 he fell under the influence of Eddie Lang, he learned the guitar well enough to play alongside Lang for six months as a teenager.

From 1931-1933, Van Eps worked with Freddy Martin, from 1934-1935 with Benny Goodman, from 1935-1936 and 1940-1941 with Ray Noble.

Meanwhile he moved to Hollywood and was working interim as a freelance musician, author of a how-to guitar book, and instrument designer.

After that, George Van Eps worked in his father's recording lab for two years and developed a 7-string guitar before returning to be a freelance musician for many years.

With an additional bass string he was able to play bass lines simultaneously with chords and lead solos.

I've chosen the tune “At Sundown“. What shall I say about it? It's a lightly swinging song with a catchy melody. Great for Balboa dancing!

You can find the songs of the series also on my Spotify playlist. Official hashtag of the series: #djcsotw

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Now Check Out:

• Song of the Week #33: “Chimes Blues” by King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band
• Song of the Week #32: “It's De-Lovely” by Boilermaker Jazz Band
• Song of the Week #31: “At A Dixie Roadside Diner” by Ivie Anderson w/ Duke Ellington