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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #52: On The Sunny Side Of The Street

28.02.2011 by Chris

Wow guys, it's been almost one crazy year now when I started this series.

I had no idea if I could keep up with… yes, I'm proud! And I'm pretty sure there will be at least one more year with an ongoing Song of the Week on Mondays :-)!

Coleman Hawkins 1947 - Photo by William P. Gottlieb

So, for the last song of the first year, I have chosen the standard “On The Sunny Side of the Street“, recorded by Coleman Hawkins in 1944 – not to be confused with earlier versions by Hawkins, which all are shorter.

Scott Yanow describes Hawkins as follows on allmusic.com: “Coleman Hawkins was the first important tenor saxophonist and he remains one of the greatest of all time.

A consistently modern improviser whose knowledge of chords and harmonies was encyclopedic, Hawkins had a 40-year prime (1925-1965) during which he could hold his own with any competitor.”

Did you know? In the 30s, Hawkins spent some years in Europe. For me especially interesting:

During that time, he stayed for a longer time in Switzerland, where he played a session in May 1936 with Ernst Höllerhagen and the Berries (with Hawkins as vocalist!).

There are several reasons, why I love this song:

  • the solidly swinging rhythm section, which is never too loud
  • the humming sound of the saxes in the background creating kind of a curtain
  • the beautiful sax lines by the different soloists, very soulful
  • the piano solo in the middle of the song
  • and of course the outstanding solo by Hawkins at the end

What about you?

Coleman Hawkins 1944

Title: On The Sunny Side Of The Street
Artist: Coleman Hawkins & His Sax Ensemble
Recorded: 24.5.1944
Tempo: 124 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song from: Amazon

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 #51: “Jack, I'm Mellow” by Trixie Smith
  • Song of the Week #50: “My Blue Heaven” by The Cangelosi Cards
  • Song of the Week #49: “Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen” by Gordon Webster

Filed Under: Music, Song of the Week Tagged With: Coleman Hawkins, DJ Chrisbe, Lindy Hop

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Welcome, I'm Christian Bossert. Since 1999, I‘ve been passionate about Swing dances as well as their culture and history. I‘m a Swing dance instructor and international Swing DJ Chrisbe, based in Zurich Switzerland. Read More…

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