DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #33: Chimes Blues

While teaching a workshop about jazz and swing music history, I had the idea to post from time to time a song which had a great impact to (early) jazz music.

On August 8, 1922, Louis Armstrong moved from New Orleans to Chicago to join King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band.

At the Lincoln Gardens, they developed their cornet duet style (“breaks”): Armstrong played a second cornet line while Oliver was playing the first cornet.

With Armstrong as a member, the already popular band took Chicago by storm.

On April 5, 1923, Oliver and Armstrong travelled by train from Chicago to Richmond Indiana to make their first recordings at Gennett Records.

One title they recorded was Chimes Blues and this recording is a milestone in history. Armstrong improvised with such a great intensity nobody had ever heard before.

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

Do you like the “Song of the Week” series? Share your thoughts below.

Now Check Out:

• Song of the Week #3: “Spooks” by Louis Armstrong
• Song of the Week #23: “Muskrat Ramble” by Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five
• Song of the Week #32: “It's De-Lovely” by Boilermaker Jazz Band