Jazz Focus

The John Kirby Sextet - transcription recordings for Lang Worth in 1940 and 41 . . great playing by Charlie Shavers, Buster Bailey, Russell Procope, Billy Kyle, John Kirby, O'Neil Spencer and especially Maxine Sullivan - doing a number of charts they did not record commercially.  The "Biggest Little Band In The Land" featured incredibly sophisticated arrangements, immaculate playing and great solos in addition to the stylish vocals of Sullivan. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-clark49/support

Herman Chittison . .the great African American pianist who recorded solos and accompaniments in France as well as piano trios (a la Art Tatum) in the US . . also some vocal accompaniments for Ethel Waters and Thelma Carpenter. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-clark49/support

The Light Crust Doughboys are on the air . . .a tribute to a superb Western Swing band featuring excellent soloists - Kenneth Pitts, Marvin Montgomery, Leon Huff, Kermit Whalin, Zeke Campbell and especially Knocky Parker on piano! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-clark49/support

WETF show on TNT -Jack and Charlie Teagarden and Frank Trumbauer recording with members of the Whiteman band in the iddle 1930's.  Cameos by Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Johnny Mince and Casper Reardon (on harp!) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-clark49/support

This was quite an anomaly - a free blowing jazz session in the heart of the depression with an integrated band!  Red Allen, Pee Wee Russell, Fats Waller, Joe Sullivan, Eddie Condon, Gene Krupa, Zutty Singleton, Pops Foster, Tommy Dorsey, Happy Caldwell and the indescribable vocalist Billy Banks! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-clark49/support

There were several jazz players named Joe Thomas - this one was perhaps the best!   A trumpeter who worked with Fletcher Henderson and a number of other big bands, he really came to prominence during the 1940's in assorted small group swing recordings.  This podcast features some of the great sessions he made for the Keynote label with players such as Jack Teagarden, Earl Hines, Trummy Young, Red Norvo, Hilton Jefferson, Coleman Hawkins and Vic Dickenson as well as some lesser known but superb players such as Ted Nash and Hank D'Amico. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-clark49/support

This episode of the Jazz Focus focuses on the 1937 sessions done by trombonist Dicky Wells when he was with Teddy Hill's band on a tour of Europe . . recorded for Swing in July, 1937 these feature Wells with Bill Coleman, Shad Collins, Bill Dillard, Howard Johnson, Django Reinhardt, Roger Chaput, Sam Allen, Dick Fullbright and Bill Beason . . all instrumental! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-clark49/support

A great English band from 1931-34 also featuring jazz players like Nat Gonella, Lew Davis, Freddy Gardner, Laurie Payne, Max Goldberg.  Noble's arrangements were very much ahead of their time and influenced later big band writers like Glenn Miller and Claude Thornhill.  In addition to that, Bowlly was one of the most underrated singers of the period - very much in Bing Crosby's class. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-clark49/support

Hoagy's first records with territory bands and also member of the Paul Whiteman Orchestra.  Songs like "March of The Hoodlums" should really be revived!  Hoagy sings, arranges, composes and plays piano (and cornet) on these records. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-clark49/support

The great, if somewhat forgotten Bebop trumpet player who was really the only rival to Dizzy Gillespie in terms of range, power and sound.  This program features his recordings for the Savoy label - under his own name and with Dexter Gordon, Eddie "LockJaw" Davis and Tadd Dameron.  In addition to these musicians, listen also to Ernie Henry, Leo Parker, Charlie Rouse and Art Blakey. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-clark49/support