Thursday 10 February 2011

2nd ESQUIRE JAZZ CONCERT - FDC Label ID. FDC-1008/09


2nd ESQUIRE JAZZ CONCERT - FDC Label ID. FDC-1008/09 - Buy Online

Vinyl Condition VG 

Description from the Sleeve
 

ESQUIRE JAZZ CONCERT

Esquire Magazine (your father's Playboy) has harbored an affection for jazz since Charles Edward Smith published « Collecting Hot» there in February 1934. Nine years later the Belgian critic Robert Goffin determined an all star jazz band and set the stage.

All star bands and similar awards had figured in the trade press for several years and Metronome first recorded its roster of talent during 1940. Esquire however was able to marshal a publicity campaign and public festival previously un-rivaled in jazz's public posture. The first of these events (documented on FDC 1001 1007 1010) took place January 26 1944 at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. It had been Esquire's intention to make the Metropolitan concert an annual event. The commitments of 1945Js award winners elsewhere in the country and wartime travel restrictions necessitated a rearrangement of plans and the second concert culminated in a ninety minute succession of broadcasts from New Orleans New York and Los Angeles. The highlights of this event appear on FDC 1008/1009.

The year 1945 marked a transitional period in the state of jazz music. The first breakthroughs of the so called New Orleans Revival had occurred in recent months epitomized here by the re-emergence of Louis Armstrong in the context of a small group and a moment of Bunk Johnson likely his only network appearance. The sound of the Benny Goodman Quintet (then appearing on Broadway in The Seven Lively Arts) merited their inclusion and awards to Goodman Red Norvo and Teddy Wilson. Art Tatum placed first and Duke Ellington's presentation to the pianist is clearly sincere.

Ellington as secure in 1945 as he was in the 'twenties and remains in the 'sixties won Big Band and Arranging awards. Before a crowd of 3000 he accepted presentations for Johnny Hodges Harry Carney Lawrence Brown and Ray Nance.

Billie Holiday enjoyed a deserved recognition. They should have given her the Metropolitan Opera House.
The occasion afforded a unique chance to enjoy AI Casey and Sid Catlett working momentarily with Ellington's band.

The ballyhoo was not without humour. During the tree way «jam session » (Armstrong in New Orleans and Goodman in New York playing with the Los Angeles based Ellington band) Goodman found himself noodling duets with the radio feedback of his own notes — broadcast from New York the returning across the country and into his earphones a split second later !

Missing are such comers as Sarah Vaughan Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. This was an evening which in a sense offered a valedictory address by many of the reigning aristocracy recognized — for once — in public ceremony and able to perform before a maximum audience at the height of their powers. There is no similar opportunity for their counterparts today.

JOHN L. FELL.

ID. 100055 - 2nd ESQUIRE JAZZ CONCERT - FDC Label ID. FDC-1008/09

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