Swing in Europa

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #45: Number 26 In The Book

10.01.2011 by Chris

Ernest Henry «Teddy» Stauffer (2.5.1909-27.8.1991) was a (one of few) Swiss band leader and the King of Swing in Germany in the 1930s.

He played violin and piano and started in 1928 with his band Teddy And His Band which later became the Orignal Teddies.

Until 1939 the band was performing mainly in Hamburg and Berlin, but also in Switzerland and London. Because of the Nazis the band eventually could not perform in Germany anymore.

In 1941, Teddy Stauffer left the band, however the Original Teddies still existed and directed by Eddie Brunner. Vibraphonist Hazy Osterwald was now one of the band members and wrote the arrangements.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find any informations about this week's song. It's the third and last song of the compilation Swing In Europa which I'm going to feature in this series.

Number 26 In The Book is a solid swing tune with a nice melody, the various solo sections are pretty appealing.

Title: Number 26 In The Book
Artist: Original Teddies
Recorded: 1943
Tempo: 160 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song from: Amazon ･ iTunes

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:

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #35: Smiles

01.11.2010 by Chris

Smiles is the second song from the compilation «Swing in Europa 1: 1939-1945» I'm featuring in the «Song of the Week» series.

Alto saxophonist Flavio Ambrosetti first started studying piano in his hometown Lugano in Switzerland, afterwards he took vibraphone lessons.

After having seen tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins performing in Switzerland in the late 30s, he started to play saxophone.

Ambrosetti was one of the pioneers of the bebop style in Europe.

In 1949 he played at the legendary Jazz Festival Paris in Hazy Osterwald's band and met his number one influence Charlie Parker.

1972 he founded with his son Franco, with Daniel Humair and George Gruntz The Band, which later evolved to the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band. Ambrosetti also was the organiser of the International Jazz Festival Lugano.

Smiles, recorded 1943 with his sextet, is a song I play quite often as a Swing DJ. Not too fast but with a great pumping rhythm section and a soulful Ambrosetti at the vibraphone.

Line-Up: Flavio Ambrosetti (vib, as), Michel Eberhard (ts, cl), Géo Voumard (p), Ray Hunter (g), Sunny Langenbacher (b), Memeta Ambrosetti (d).

Title: Smiles
Artist: Flavio Ambrosetti Sextett
Recorded: 1943
Tempo: 164 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song from: Amazon ･ iTunes

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:

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #19: One O’Clock Jump

12.07.2010 by Chris

As I promised last week, I'll show you my current favourite version of One O'Clock Jump, it's by the Ernst Höllerhagen Quartett, recorded in 1943.

Ernst Höllerhagen (5.10.1912-11.7.1956) was a highly talented German clarinetist and saxophonist.

He played in several dance orchestras and belonged to the Original Teddies (by Teddy Stauffer) in 1939.

When Jazz was prohibited by the Nazis at the beginning of the Second World War he left Germany and went into exile in Switzerland.

In Switzerland he led his own band for a while, with the rhythm section of the former Teddy Stauffer Orchestra.

Line-Up: Ernst Höllerhagen (cl), Buddy Bertinat (p), Gene Favre (b), Polly Guggisberg (d)

Title: One O'Clock Jump
Artist: Ernst Höllerhagen Quartett
Recorded: 1943
Tempo: 172 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop, Balboa

Click the link to download the song from: Amazon ･ iTunes

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.