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Rex Stewart

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #92: Little Sir Echo

05.12.2011 by Chris

With “Rexatious” [SOTW #89] we have learned, that Rex Stewart was famous for his talkative style (among other styles). This week I would like to feature a song where this technique is more hearable.

But before, I need to introduce another jazz musician who had perfected a similar sound but with a different instrument.

Dickie Wells

William “Dickie” Wells (10.06.1907/09 – 12.11.1985) was a leading black American trombonist noted, especially in the swing era, for his melodic creativity and expressive techniques.

Scott Yanow on allmusic.com describes Wells as follows: “One of the more adventurous trombonists of the swing era, the distinctive Dicky Wells was somewhat innovative, playing his horn in a speech-like style filled with a great deal of color, humor, and swing.”

Wells worked over the years with many well known musicians as Fletcher Henderson, Benny Carter, Teddy Hill, Count Basie (his longest engagement, from 1938-1945 and 1947-1950) and Jimmie Rushing, just to name a few. For most of the rest of his career he was a freelance trombonist.

Little Sir Echo

Little Sir Echo is a nicely swinging tune with call-and-response and solo parts by Stewart and Wells. The song is especially suitable for less experienced dancers, as it is comfortably slow and relaxed.


DJ Chrisbe's Song of the Week: "Little Sir Echo" by Rex Stewart & Dickie Wells | Shuffle ProjectsTitle: Little Sir Echo
Artist: Rex Stewart & Dickie Wells
Recorded: 1959
Tempo: 132 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop



I couldn't find this song as download so far!* Buy the CD here
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Do you like this series? Let us know in the comment section below!

Every Monday, I post a new “Song of the Week“. You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist.

Related Posts:

Song of the Week #91: “‘Tain’t What You Do” by Jimmie Lunceford
Song of the Week #90: “Stompin’ At The Riverside” by Spade Cooley
Song of the Week #89: “Rexatious” by Rex Stewart

Filed Under: Music, Song of the Week Tagged With: Count Basie, Dickie Wells, DJ Chrisbe, Fletcher Henderson, Jimmie Rushing, Lindy Hop, Rex Stewart

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #89: Rexatious

14.11.2011 by Chris

Sometimes, it's really difficult to explain in words why I like a certain song so much. Rexatious is one of them. Nevertheless, I'll try it anyway.

It must be the rhythm section! This steady ongoing beat “boom-ta-boom-ta” by the drums and then the bass, first only on 1 and 3 and after the break at ca. 0:40 on every beat, is like a heart beat going through that song.

Of course, this is always the sense of the rhythm section but here it sounds differently! I don't want forget the other instruments in this song, but this rhythm is just magic!

Rex Stewart

The star here is actually cornetist Rex Stewart (22.02.1907 – 07.09.1967). He joined Duke Ellington‘s band in 1934 and stayed for eleven years, before he left to lead his own combos. Many songs were arranged by Ellington to showcase Rex Stewart's half-valve effects, muted sounds and talkative style.

From 1947-1951 he toured Europe and Australia with Jazz at the Philharmonic, organized by Norman Granz. After that he became a farmer in New Jersey. Then he moved to Boston to work at local radio and television, and to lead part-time a band.

In 1957 and 1958, Stewart led the Fletcher Henderson reunion band and recorded with them.

Especially noteworthy is the fact, that Rex Stewart became a jazz critic and publisher of many high regarded reviews. A collection of these reviews is Jazz Masters of the 30s. The book was published after his death and is still available.

You find this song on many Duke Ellington (small group) compilations. Ellington was part of the recording, however it was recorded under the name Rex Stewart & His 52nd Street Stompers!


DJ Chrisbe's Song of the Week #89: "Rexatious" by Rex Stewart & His 52nd Street StompersTitle: Rexatious
Artist: Rex Stewart & His 52nd St. Stompers
Recorded: 1936
Album: Rex Stewart 1936-40
Tempo: 190 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop



Click the link to download the song from
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How would you describe this song? Let us know in the comment section below!

Every Monday, I post a new “Song of the Week“.

Related Posts:

Song of the Week #81: “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” by Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
Song of the Week #66: “Empty Ballroom Blues” by Duke Ellington
Song of the Week #88: “Honeysuckle Rose” by Fats Waller

Filed Under: Music, Song of the Week Tagged With: Balboa, DJ Chrisbe, Duke Ellington, Lindy Hop, Rex Stewart

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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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