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Conference demon::after_hours

Title:BLUES and R&B Interest Group
Notice:Welcome to the Blues/R&B Conference!
Moderator:OSOSPS::SYSTEMA
Created:Tue Apr 04 1989
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:557
Total number of notes:7144

549.0. "Jay McShann" by OSOV03::KAGEYAMA (I Got Rhythm) Tue Apr 22 1997 01:12

I picked up a CD titled "Blues from Kansas City" by Jay McShann 
Orchestra. Here's the track list.

1. Swingmatism
2. Hootie Blues*
3. Dexter Blues
4. Vine Street Boogie
5. Confessin' The Blues*
6. Hold 'Em Hootie
7. One Woman's Man*
8. 'Fore Day Rider*
9. So You Won't Jump
10. New Confessin' The Blues*
11. Red River Blues*
12. Baby Heart Blues*
13. Cryin' Won't Make Me Stay*
14. Hootie's Ignorant Oil*
15. Lonely Boy Blues*
16. Get Me On Your Mind**
17. The Jumpin' Blues*
18. Sepian Bounce
19. Say Forward, I'll March
20. Wrong Neigborhood***
21. Hometown Blues*

* vocal by Walter Brown
** vocal by Al Hibbler
*** vocal by Bob Merrill


This CD is compiled from McShann's recordings at Decca from 1941 to 1943
featuring Walter Brown and Charlie Parker. The most well-known song in 
this CD is "Confessin' The Blues" which is said to be sold more than 500
thousannd copies, and was covered by the Rolling Stones in the later 
days(12x5 album).

McShann first created a combo style band, but in late 1939 he assembled
his orchestra, when most of the Kansas City big bands had been dismantled, 
The half of this CD was recorded in big band style, but from blues and 
R&B perspective most attractive perfoamnces were recorded in small 
trio or quartet style -  his piano, Walter Brown's vocal, Gus Johson's 
drums, and Gene Ramey's bass. From "Vine Street Boogie", "Confessin' The 
Blues", and "Hold 'Em Hootie" to "Hootie's Ignorant Oil" could be 
categorized in this group.  "The Jumpin' Blues" is also in this group at
the begging of the song, but in the mddle its style is changed to big 
band style featuring Parker's solo. In another words it shows us the 
essense of the McShann otchestra - McShann's piano, Parker's sax solo, 
Brown's blues vocal, and his swinging band.

"Hootie's Ignorant Oil" shows us the potential of McShann/Brown 
collaboration. It could make us think they could surpass Johnson/Turner
collaboration. At least McShann had that ability but Brown lacks 
variety. He sings different songs similarly.  Brown left McShann band for
military. Crown Prince Waterford took Brown's position but after 
military Brown rejoined McShann Band.  But Brown left McShann band again
and this time Jimmy Witherspoon took his position. McShann recorded with
Witherspoon including "Ain't Nobody's Business" and "Voodoo Woman 
Blues", later retitled to "New Orleans Woman."  But I think McShann's 
heyday was in the days with Brown. Brown died penniless in 1956 at age 
of 39 of drug problems.

For Charlie Parker's fan this CD is also interesting but I keep from 
comments for my lack of knowledge in Jazz.

By the way, "Hootie" is the nickname of McShann.


- Kazunori
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
549.1biographyOSOV03::KAGEYAMAI Got RhythmTue Apr 22 1997 01:1269
From the Kansas City Jazz page, http://www.kcjazz.com/jazzfolk/mcshj_00.htm


 [index]                      McShann, James Columbus "Jay"
 [people]
 [sounds]      b January 12, 1916
 [venues]      band leader, pianist, vocalist
 [articles]
               [./~ -----  ./~ -----  ./~ -----  ./~ -----  ./~ -----  ./~]

               [image link]    Jay McShann was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
                               He taught himself piano as a child, despite
               Jay McShann     his parents' disapproval of his interest in
                               music. He began his professional career in
               1931, playing with Don Byas. He studied at Fisk University
               and performed around Arkansas and Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1935
               and 1936.

               Jay moved to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1936 and played at
               the Monroe Inn on Independence Avenue. The following year he
               formed a sextet and began a residence at Martin's on the
               Plaza. In late 1939, Jay assembled a big band and played at
               the Century Room and Fairyland Park.

               The Jay McShann Orchestra toured extensively and recorded
               for the Decca label in 1941. The band's most popular
               recording was a blues titled "Confessin' the Blues,"
               [real audio] but the band performed and recorded many
               modern compositions which bridged traditional Kansas City
               jazz and bebop.

               This musically progressive band, whose oldest member was
               twenty-five, included Gus Johnson, Gene Ramey and the young
               Charlie Parker. Their recording of "Hootie Blues"
               [real audio] was the first to document Parker's emerging
               genius. The band had its New York debut at the Savoy
               Ballroom in 1942 to enthusiastic reviews.

               Jay served in the armed forces from 1943 to 1944. After his
               discharge he re-formed his big band. In the late Forties,
               Jay recorded with Jimmy Witherspoon. Jay returned to Kansas
               City in 1950, studied at the Conservatory of Music, and
               toured regionally with his trio and small groups. From 1969
               to the present, Jay has toured extensively, appearing at
               music festivals world-wide. He is the subject of a 1978
               documentary film, "Hootie Blues," and is also showcased in
               the film "Last of the Blues Devils."
               [./~ -----  ./~ -----  ./~ -----  ./~ -----  ./~ -----  ./~]

               Sources:

               Russell, Ross.
                    Jazz Style in Kansas City and the Southwest. Berkeley:
                    University of California Press, 1971
               "McShann, James Columbus."
                    The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz. London: Macmillan
                    Press, 1988.
               Hester, Mary Lee.
                    Going to Kansas City. Sherman, Texas: Early Bird Press,
                    1980

               [./~ -----  ./~ -----  ./~ -----  ./~ -----  ./~ -----  ./~]

                     [ index | people | sounds | venues | articles |
                                    kansascity.com ]
               [./~ -----  ./~ -----  ./~ -----  ./~ -----  ./~ -----  ./~]

               all content � 1996 University of Missouri-Kansas City
549.2The Last Of The Blue Devils videoOSOV03::KAGEYAMAI Got RhythmTue Apr 22 1997 01:2225
Following discussion had been done in the original 549, "Kansas City" 
topic, before the disk of this conference was broken. I restored it as 
possible as I could.


549.2	3/15 01:32  OSOV03::KAGEYAMA	The Last Of The Blue Devils

  Has anyone seen the video titled "The Last Of The Blue Devils"? Following
description from the Jazz Store web site 
http://www2.thejazzstore.com/thejazzstore/video.perfdoc.L.html ) .....

  The Last Of The Blue Devils
  Newly mastered, digital edition! " This beautiful
  film is about life and jazz and how they meet and
  interact"- Newsweek. The movie about Kansas City Jazz
  features Count Basie & His Orchestra, Big Joe Turner
  and Jay McShann. 1979, 90 min., $19.95 #1101


549.3	3/18 12:06  SHRCTR::BLOUNT	Bought it for my Blues Class

  Yes, It's an excellent video. I bought it last year and really enjoyed 
it. It was rather poignant piece showing the old timers coming back 
together to talk, remember and relive the old days. .....
549.3Saw "Last of the Blue Devils" a while agoDEMON::CRAMERTue Apr 29 1997 11:416
	They showed "Last of the Blue Devils" on PBS TV about
	10-15 years ago.  I loved it.  I thought the musicians
	came across as absolutely charming.  

	Mai