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ILHC 2011 – Showcase – Michael Darigol & Brittany Johnson
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Swinging Projects for Lindy Hop & Balboa Dancers
by Chris
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ILHC 2011 – Showcase – Michael Darigol & Brittany Johnson
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by Chris
Dear Balboa dancer, here is another song for you: Savage Serenade, in a version recorded in 1933 by Adrian Rollini and his Orchestra.
Adrian Francis Rollini (28.06.1903-15.05.1956) was a talented multi-instrumentalist, he played piano and xylophone as a youth. Later he played bass saxophone (some say he was the greatest bass saxophonist of all time), he was one of the first jazz vibraphonists and he introduced the «goofus» in jazz.
Rollini was an important member of the California Ramblers, one of the most recorded bands in the 1920s. He formed two sub-groups: The Little Ramblers (from 1924) and the Goofus Five (1926-1927). During this time he developed his distinctive style of bass saxophone playing.
He also recorded with Red Nichols, Frankie Trumbauer, Bix Beiderbecke and Joe Venuti. From 1933-1940 he worked in the studios, leading many recording sessions under different names.
While he also had the talent to assemble great musicians like for example Benny Goodman, Jack Teagarden and Bunny Berigan, who became afterwards the hottest names in jazz, the result of most of these recordings is quite unoriginal, compared to older recordings.
One exception is for sure Savage Serenade!
Title: Savage Serenade
Artist: Adrian Rollini & His Orchestra
Recorded: October 16, 1933
Album: The Key Sessions 1931-1937 CD C
Tempo: 196 bpm
Dance: Balboa
Click the link to buy the song (mp3/mp4a) at
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Song of the Week #60: «Chicken And Waffles» by Bunny Berigan
Song of the Week #37: «Singin› The Blues» by Bix Beiderbecke & Frankie Trumbauer
Song of the Week #77: «A Viper's Moan» by Willie Bryant
Song of the Week #76: «Wabash Stomp» by Roy Eldridge
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by Chris
As announced today on the Facebook Page, “THE SAVOY KING: Chick Webb and the Music That Changed America” is finally finished!
THE SAVOY KING is a feature documentary about the Swing-era drummer-bandleader Chick Webb, Ella Fitzgerald, and Harlem's Savoy Ballroom.
I'm really looking forward to seeing this documentary!
This is a clip from the new feature film.
Interviews with Norma Miller, Frankie Manning and Van Alexander, among others!
Link: Website The Savoy King
by Chris
Willie Bryant (30.08.1908-09.02.1964), born in New Orleans, grew up in Chicago where he tried to learn trumpet, with little success. In 1926 he made his first steps in show business as a dancer in the Whitman Sister's Show.
For several years, he performed in vaudeville and in 1934 he appeared as a singer with Bessie Smith in the show Chocolate Revue.
In late 1934, Willie Bryant formed his big band and from 1935-1938, they had six recording sessions. Among his sidemen were at times: Ted Wilson (piano), Cozy Cole (drums), Johnny Russell (tenor sax), Benny Carter (trumpet), Ben Webster (tenor sax), Eddie Durham (trombone, arrangements), Ram Ramirez (piano) and Taft Jordan (trumpet, vocals). Bryant sang on 18 of the 26 recorded sides.
After breaking up the big band, Bryant became an actor, MC and DJ.
In 1945 he recorded as R&B singer, from 1946-1948 he led another big band and recorded two numbers. In 1949 he hosted an all-black television variety show and in the 1950's be was best known as regular MC at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem.
A Viper's Moan was written by Willie Bryant and is a laid-back tune. The rhythm section with piano, guitar and drums (with percussion elements) is solid swinging while the horn section almost is whimpering (or moaning, as the title says).
Some of the solos are played in a typical call and response concept. Bryant himself is talking – not singing – throughout the song, and one time he is also introducing the soloists.
For the non-native English speakers: A viper is in American English another word for marijuana smoker… I guess, the song's title and sound picture makes sense now 🙂
A great song for Lindy Hop dancers and for Balboa beginner classes. I love it!
Title: A Viper's Moan
Artist: Willie Bryant
Recorded: January 4, 1935
Album: The Complete Jazz Series 1935-1937
Tempo: 150 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop, Balboa
Click the link to downoad the song at
iTunes CH/EU ・ iTunes US ・ Amazon.de ・ A'zon.com ・ [easyazon-link asin=»B001MT2NXK» locale=»uk»]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ・ eMusic
Do you like this song? Do you like the series? Please leave a comment!
Every Monday, I post a new «Song of the Week«.
You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.
If you are interested in swing DJ’ing or just in regular music tips
then sign up for the brandnew DJ Chrisbe's resources emails!
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Song of the Week #76: «Wabash Stomp» by Roy Eldridge
Song of the Week #75: «Blue Lester» by Lester Young
Song of the Week #74: «Black Coffee» by Careless Lovers
Song of the Week #73: «Ta-Hu-Wa-Hu-Wai» by Andy Iona & His Islanders
by Chris
Wabash Stomp is one of my latest acquisitions. I knew it since a long time but I didn't own it so far.
Only when Kelly Arsenault was playing it in some of her classes with Mickey at Studio Hop Summer Camp I was remembered to add a missing element to my library.
Scott Yanow writes on allmusic.com:
«One of the most exciting trumpeters to emerge during the swing era, Roy Eldridge's combative approach, chance-taking style and strong musicianship were an inspiration (and an influence) to the next musical generation, most notably Dizzy Gillespie. Although he sometimes pushed himself farther than he could go, Eldridge never played a dull solo.»
Listen to this song and you hear immediately what Yanow is writing about. Beside the trumpet, the pumping rhythm section is absolutely outstanding in this song. The deep pitched humming sound reminds me of a locomotive.
Five star rated Balboa tune!
Title: Wabash Stomp
Artist: Roy Eldridge & His Orchestra
Recorded: January 23, 1937
Tempo: 179 bpm
Dance: Balboa
How many stars would you rate this song? Please leave a comment!
Every Monday, I post a new «Song of the Week«.
You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.
Song of the Week #75: «Blue Lester» by Lester Young
Song of the Week #74: «Black Coffee» by Careless Lovers
Song of the Week #73: «Ta-Hu-Wa-Hu-Wai» by Andy Iona And His Islanders