Stereojack

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertai...-86-815836.html Independent.co.uk Humphrey Lyttelton, broadcaster and jazz musician, dies aged 86 By Sadie Gray Friday, 25 April 2008 Humphrey Lyttelton, the jazz musician, journalist and radio presenter, has died at the age of 86. Humph, as he was affectionately known, was still working and planning a tour with his band right up to his admission to hospital on 16 April for surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm. He died at 7pm this evening in Barnet Hospital, north London. His admission to hospital had forced the spring series of I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, the Radio 4 comedy show he presented for 30 years, to be cancelled earlier this week. In an email to members of the show's fan club, its producer, Jon Naismith, had said he was "otherwise fine and in good spirits". Last month, Lyttelton had given up his role as presenter of BBC Radio 2's Best of Jazz, saying he was leaving to "clear a space for some of my other ambitions". He had been at the helm of the show since 1967, introducing thousands of listeners to many different styles of jazz. At the time, the Radio 2 controller, Lesley Douglas, said: "Humphrey Lyttelton is not only a giant in the world of jazz, but has also remained a giant of music broadcasting for the past 40 years. The world of music broadcasting will be poorer without his weekly show." He was still touring with his eight-piece band, performing sell-out shows around the country, although his forthcoming tour had been cancelled due to his illness. Lyttelton was born on 23 May 1921 at Eton College, where his father was a housemaster, and where he duly became a pupil. He first picked up a trumpet in 1936 and, after spending the Second World War as an officer in the Grenadier Guards, became a pioneering figure in the British jazz scene. On being demobbed from the Guards he spent two years at Camberwell Art School, an experience he later called upon when he joined the Daily Mail as a cartoonist in 1949. He went on to work as a journalist for Punch, The Field, and the British Airways magazine, Highlife. Lyttelton formed his first band in 1948 after spending a year with George Webb's Dixielanders, a band that pioneered New Orleans-style jazz in the UK. The Humphrey Lyttelton Band quickly became Britain's leading traditional jazz group, and continental tours gave them a following in Europe. In 1949, he signed a recording contract with EMI which led to a string of records in the Parlophone Super Rhythm Style series and which have become highly sought after. 1956 was a good year for Humph. Eight years earlier, at the Nice International Jazz Festival, Louis Armstrong had said of him: "That boy's comin' on," and now the King of Jazz asked Humphrey Lyttelton and his Band to open a series of shows in London for him. The same year, Lyttelton became the first musician to enter the top 20 with a British jazz record, "Bad Penny Blues", which stayed in the charts for six weeks. By the late 1950s he was branching out, enlarging his band and experimenting with mainstream and non-traditional material, and shocking his established fans in the process. In 1959, the band made a successful tour of the United States. He was a keen amateur calligrapher and birdwatcher, and in 1984 formed his own record label, Calligraph. He composed more than 120 original songs during his career. In 1993 he won the radio industry's highest honour, a Sony Gold Award. He also won lifetime achievement awards at the Post Office British Jazz Awards in 2000, and the inaugural BBC Jazz Awards the following year. Lyttelton played for the younger generation too: he performed on Radiohead's track "Life in a GlassHouse" in 2000, later joining the band on stage for a concert in Oxford. He said it was one of the most moving experiences of his musical career. Throughout his life, keeping a sense of humour remained a priority. On announcing his death, his website carried his words: "As we journey through life, discarding baggage along the way, we should keep an iron grip, to the very end, on the capacity for silliness. It preserves the soul from dessication." Query: Independent.co.uk The Web Go ©independent.co.uk Legal Terms & Policies | E-mail sign-up | RSS | Contact us | Syndication | Work for INM | Advertising Guide | Group Sites | London Careers

Just received word of the death of British jazz great Humphrey Lyttelton http://www.humphreylyttelton.com

A giant - RIP, Jimmy.

(shudder) Although I know there are plenty of tone-deaf people out there, it amazes me just how clueless they can be sometimes.

Love the pics! Keep 'em coming! Hope this birthday is a great day!

CONGRATS TO BOTH OF YOU!!!

I don't know of Andy's current activities. He did teach locally for many years, but he is getting on in years, and has had a few health issues, to boot. I got to know Andy slightly in the eighties, and I will say that he is a very nice guy, and of course, a superb musician! In the film I recognized him more from his playing than from how he looked, especially since the film quality is not all that great, and I only knew Andy as an older man who usually wears glasses.

I think the tenor player is Andy McGhee. The trombonist is not Cleveland, but I can't say who it is!

I believe Saluga was also a member of the popular comedy troupe "Ace Trucking Company".

How about my personal fave - Art Blakely?

I'll take that as a compliment.

It's not Earl Hines, but I will be interested in hearing if you have this exact track on that set, or if Earl Hines recorded this track, and the band I put on the set ripped Hines off! Holy shit! Stereojack NAILED this one! Yes, this is the track from the Reader's Digest box I was referring to. If you ever find that "flabbergasted" emoticon, let me know! Way to go, Jack! How'd you know this one? For that matter, Berigan, how the heck do YOU know about it? Zurke was the pianist in Bob Crosby's band in the late 30's. This is a band I've known and enjoyed for decades. I recognized Zurke's style. I do have the recordings he made with his own band as well, but I don't know them well enough to recognize the track.

Have listened through this disc a couple of times, and now I'm ready to commit - 1. This has got to Jabbo Smith! What an exciting player. This track gets the second disc off to a very nice start. 2. “Old Joe’s Hittin’ the Jug” – Stuff Smith, with Jonah Jones on trumpet, and, I think, Cozy Cole on drums. LOVE Stuff!! Here’s a band I’d love to have seen live, had I been born 30 years sooner. 3. “Gin For Christmas” in rechanneled stereo! Even with the crappy mastering, it’s hard to contain the excitement. Of course, it’s Hamp at the drums, and Ziggy Elman on trumpet, can’t remember who else. A classic side! 4. The Rhythmmakers – “Who Stole The Lock”. Red Allen sings & plays trumpet, Pee Wee is delightful, can’t remember the tenor (Bud?) or the trombone (great trills!). A classic session. 5. “You Can’t Cheat a Cheater”. I think you’re throwing us a curve here, my man. That’s Tommy Dorsey on trumpet, with Eddie Lang, and the pianist (Artie Schutt?) doubling on harmonium. I’ve always marveled at how Tommy’s personality was so different when he played trumpet. On trombone, he plays with great beauty and control, and on trumpet he’s a wild man! Then again, maybe this is Phil Napoleon on trumpet – they both recorded this tune. I’ll stick to my first guess. 6. Tram, Bix & Lang – another curve. Bix is on piano until the very end. 7. I think this is Dick McDonough, a marvelous guitarist who died young. Beautiful playing, and a lovely tune. 8. George Barnes – “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles”. I found this Okeh 78 some years ago, on which the billing was The Georgie Barnes Trio. Can’t remember who the sidemen are, but Barnes (barely out of his teens when he cut this) sounds great! 9. Red Norvo – “Dance of the Octopus”. This was considered pretty avant garde back in 1933. If I recall correctly, Benny Goodman’s playing the bass clarinet. A delightful side. 10. That’s Tiny Grimes on guitar, I’m pretty sure. I think this may be a Blue Note date, with Ike Quebec on tenor. Or is it John Hardee? 11. This sounds familiar, but I can’t place it. Really nice late 1920’s Harlem jazz – maybe Charlie Johnson? 12. Harlan Leonard – “A La Bridges”, featuring the legendary Henry Bridges on tenor, and Fred Beckett on trombone. A beautiful side by a great Kansas City band. Nice selection! 13. This is a little busy, and slightly pretentious - possibly Boyd Raeburn? Nevertheless, I give them an A for effort. 14. Another swing-to-bop attempt from the mid-40’s. Can’t name the band, although I think the alto bears a strong resemblance to Jimmy Dorsey. Haven’t heard anything quite this forward-looking from JD, but I guess anything’s possible. 15. This has to be Chick Webb – “Liza”. Probably Taft Jordan on trumpet, and the great Chick Webb in one of his rare solos. A great band , a great drummer. 16. A strong Basie feel here, but I really have no idea who this band is. The band plays with spirit, but the chart is rather mundane. 17. I seem to recall this title – “Swinging In the Groove” – Jan Savitt. Strong trumpet and tenor, can’t remember their names. Nice boogie woogie piano. Cutty Cutshall on trombone? 18. A nice track, dubbed from a less-than-mint 78. I like the sound of the sax section a lot, very mellow. Damn, I know this band, but can’t come up with a name. Hilton Jefferson on alto? 19. Very fine trumpet player. Good playing all around. Nothing is coming to mind here, although I like the band’s feel, especially when they kick it up a notch in the final chorus. Sudden ending! 20. Recalling Venuti-Lang here, although this sounds like it may from a little later, mid-30’s I’d guess, with the “jump” rhythm. Maybe a western swing outfit? 21. Nice quasi-country guitar in the first chorus, fine muted trumpet. Clarinet opens with the famous “High Society” quote. No ideas on this one. 22. Bob Crosby? A nice slow-boogie feel. The reeds with the clarinet lead are very nice. I’m a big fan of the 30’s Crosby band, I would suspect that this was made in the early 40’s. Fine trombone solo. 23. A nice segue – this follows the previous track with a similar rhythm. I think this is John Kirby’s “Twilight In Turkey”. Didn’t figure it out until I recognized Charlie Shavers, then Billy Kyle and Buster Bailey. Not a typical Kirby performance, but excellent nonetheless. 24. The Boswell Sisters!!! MUCH LOVE for the Boswells, and for Connee after the sisters retired. Is that Dick McDonough on guitar? The arrangement is a tad precious, but these babes sure swing! Jimmy Dorsey again? Bunny on trumpet? 25. The singer is a little deadpan, slightly reminiscent of Annette Hanshaw, but I don’t think this is her. The trumpet soars on this – Jack Purvis? 26. “Shake That Thing”. Acoustically recorded. Can’t pin this band down, but I like them. Can this be the California Ramblers? I thoroughly enjoyed this disc, and the challenge to identify the individuality of each band is great fun!

The extra high bid was for the Post-It.

I watched the show after reading your post (I usually tape the show and watch it the next day). It looked to me that the drummer was playing live, at least the few times that I could see him.

Gulp! I've got that record - time to give it a listen!

Beautiful!! I don't they ever recorded this tune. Bacharach's tunes always have such nice changes.

Well, here we go. As usual, no reference books or web sources were consulted. I'll let my comments stand as is. 1. A nice slice of swing to kick off this fine BFT. My first thought for the vibist was Adrian Rollini, although Rollini usually worked in a trio format. The violin has a bit of a “gypsy” quality, so I thought of Eddie South. No idea on the others. 2. Rex Stewart! Knew it from the first note. I can also hear Harry Carney & Lawrence Brown in there, so this has to be one of the many Ellington spin-off groups. A lovely side. 3. I was enjoying the fine ensemble work with no idea who this was until the alto came in – Jimmy Dorsey! Presumably that’s him on clarinet at the beginning. Although Dorsey’s band was known for the many vocal hits they made, they could kick ass with the best of them, as this fine side demonstrates. 4. A strong Basie feeling here – I think this might be an early Harry James track. James always took cues from Basie throughout his career, and the trumpet could be him. 5. I recognized Bill Harris right away. At first I figured this was a Woody Herman contingent with Flip Phillips, but once the track got beyond 78 length, I figured it out. This is a live track from an old Phoenix(?) LP “A Knight In the Village”, with Charlie Ventura on tenor and Lennie Tristano on piano. 6. The tune is “Anything”. I believe this is the Original Memphis Five, with Tommy Dorsey, Phil Napoleon, Eddie Lang, and Jimmy Dorsey doing his very best Jimmie Noone. Tommy later recorded this with Sinatra in the early 40’s. 7. A fine pianist with a debt to Fats Waller. Might this be Bob Zurke? That’s wild guess, but I’ll stick with it for now. 8. Here’s a swing version of the New Orleans warhorse “Panama”. I think this might be the Luis Russell band around 1934, after some of the key players had left. Sounds like J. C. Higginbotham and Charlie Holmes were still on board! 9. Here’s a swing version of a tune Fletcher Henderson first recorded with Louis Armstrong in the band in the mid 1920’s – “Shanghai Shuffle”. Not sure if this is Henderson c. 1934, but if it is, that’d be Ben Webster on tenor, still under the spell of Hawkins. My memory tell me that Buster Bailey was in the band at the time, but this doesn’t sound like him. Red Allen on trumpet. Can’t get enough of this! 10. This has to be the Casa Loma Orchestra! The tune reminds me of “Heebie Jeebies”. Billy Rauch trombone, Pat Davis tenor. Clarence Hutchenrider clarinet. Fantastic ensemble work, even if the arrangement is a little ornate. This band must have been great live. 11. I can’t place this – there’s a bit of a Sy Oliver feel here, although I don’t think this is the Lunceford band. I could be wrong. The open trumpet is strong. Might this be Erskine Hawkins? 12. My first thought was Raymond Scott, but I think this might be a little too jazzy for him. Good trumpet player! Good solos all around. 13. There are a few names that come to mind for this trio rendition of Schubert’s “Serenade”. The guitar is a little ripe, sounds like he might be more comfortable playing Hawaiian music! Jazzing up the classics was all the rage in the late 30’s & early 40’s, so this could be any number of pianists. Herman Chittison, maybe, or possibly Erskine Butterfield? 14. One of my all time favorites – “Swing Out”, by Henry “Red” Allen. I first heard this many years ago when I was in high school - this track was on one of those “RCA History of Jazz” LP’s, and all these years later it’s still one of my desert island tracks. Of course, this is actually the great Luis Russell band recording under Allen’s name for Victor in 1929. I’ve always loved the way J. C. Higginbotham comes swooping in on trombone, and all of the soloists (and the stomping rhythm section) are great – Teddy Hill, Charlie Holmes, Albert Nicholas, and Red Allen. Five stars – no, ten stars! 15. I think this is Roy Eldridge, circa 1937. His brother Joe Eldridge on alto – a fine player sounding a little like Russell Procope. Roy is one of my all time favorite musicians – tremendous drive and excitement!! 16. At the beginning this borrows from Louis’s “Yes I’m In the Barrel”. I think it’s Benny Goodman circa 1933. Might this be “Tappin’ the Barrel”? The arrangement is the star here, although Benny and the trumpet (Charlie Teagarden?) have a couple of nice spots. 17. Here’s Benny again, a few years later, with the fabulous Eddie Sauter composition “Benny Rides Again”. Such gorgeous writing, great ensemble work, and BG at his finest. Is that Nick Fatool on drums? It don’t get no better than this. 18. I think this might be Benny Carter circa 1933. Some imaginative changes, and lovely writing, especially for the saxes. I won’t hazard a guess as to the soloists, although they are all good. 19. A Hawaiian vocal group with trumpet – very nice! I’m clueless on this, although I like it. 20. A noble attempt, but it seems a little busy and never settles into a groove. Nevertheless, an interesting finale to a very fine BFT. Thoroughly enjoyed the classic music – thanks, Berigan!

Gravy/Walkin' actually bears a very close resemblance to "El Sino", recorded by Leo Parker (with Gene Ammons) in 1947. This has always suggested to me that Ammons is the actual composer. To further complicate matters, the composition is credited to Charles Greenlee on the Savoy LP, although I don't have access to the original 78 to check the credit. BMI database also credits Greenlee.

The version with Trane on "Mating Call" (Prestige). Junior Cook has a nice on on Steeplechase.

Record labels show "H. Gibeling". This name was unfamiliar to me, so I did a Google search, and came up with Howard Gibeling, a trombonist who also wrote for Stan Kenton.

Here is a collective personnel as listed in Raben: Lee Castle, Charlie Shavers, Billy Marshall, John Frosk, Paul Cohen, Dick Perry, John McCormick, Art Tancredi, Andy Ferretti (tp) Tommy Dorsey, Tak Takvorian, Vince Forrest, Jimmy Henderson, Sam Hyster, Sonny Russo (tb) Jimmy Dorsey (cl/as), Red Press, Skip Galluccio, Kenny DeLange, Toots Mondello (as) Buzzy Brauner, Joe Pamelia, Gail Curtis, Boomie Richman (ts), Teddy Lee (bars) Doug Talbert (p), Sam Herman (g), Bill Cronk (b), Cliff Leeman, Buddy Rich, Louis Bellson (d) Sy Oliver, Dick Jones, Neal Hefti, Deane Kincaide, Ernie Wilkins (arr) Recorded at several sessions in 1954 & 1955 in NYC. (Edited for typos)

Don't have full details, but there are several tidbits of information in the liner notes. The tapes were produced by Tommy Dorsey & sold to Columbia. Charlie Shavers, Lee Castle (tp) are in the band. Buddy Rich (d) on We've Crossed the Widest River, How Far Is It To Jordan, Judgement Is Coming, Where Is That Rock, Heaven Help Us. Cliff Leeman (d) on Wagon Wheels. Louis Bellson (d) on This Is What Gabriel Says. Neal Hefti (arr) on Moonlight In Vermont. Deane Kincaide (arr) on We've Crossed the Widest River, How Far Is It To Jordan, This Is What Gabriel Says, Judgement Is Coming, Where Is That Rock, Heaven Help Us. Sy Oliver (arr) on Wagon Wheels. Ernie Wilkins (arr) on Peace Pipe, Skirts and Sweaters, Do It Yourself, Flagler Drive, Stereophonic. Btw, several of the Wilkins charts were also recorded by Count Basie.

My discs arrived yesterday. Thanks!

In regards to the Evans box, I both agree and disagree with you, Chris. I was happy to get the additional live material, all of which has value, but I think 3 discs worth of outtakes from the "From Left To Right" sessions is excessive. As for the Benedetti, set, there's no pleasing everybody. There are those people (and we all know a few) who absolutely need to have every scrap, and there are those who are more judicious in their purchases. My criterion has always been "is the thing worth listening to?", as I suspect is yours and most people's. Years ago I had a conversation with a label owner about a poor quality Parker release he had issued, asking (politely) how he could justify such a bad sounding release. His response was that you are damned if you do by those who expect quality, and you are damned if you don't by those who would accuse you of sitting on material and not sharing it. I didn't buy the Benedetti set because I didn't think it was essential, and I think Mosaic could consider a "best of" set. Btw, as it turns out, the Benedetti set is not complete. After Mosaic made their deal with Benedetti's brother, more material turned up in the hands of another relative, and they were unable to agree on a price.