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Posts tagged as “Helen Humes”

MUSIC MONDAY: “One O’Clock Jump” – A Swingin’ Count Basie Collection (LISTEN)

MUSIC MONDAY: “One O’Clock Jump” – A Swingin’ Count Basie Collection (LISTEN)

By goodblacknews on August 23, 2021

by Marlon West (FB: marlon.west1 Twitter: @marlonw IG: stlmarlonwest Spotify: marlonwest)

This week are celebrating William James “Count” Basie. He was born 117 years ago on August 21, 1904.

In 1935, Basie formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and their first recording. He would lead that group for almost 50 years.

Many musicians came to prominence under Basie’s direction, including tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans, guitarist Freddie Green, trumpeters Buck Clayton and Harry “Sweets” Edison, plunger trombonist Al Grey, and singers Jimmy Rushing, Helen Humes, Thelma Carpenter, and Joe Williams.

Here’s a solid dose of his half century of artistry. Do enjoy.

And as always, stay safe, sane and kind.

Marlon West (photo courtesy Marlon West)
MUSIC MONDAY: “Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t” – A Jump Blues Collection (LISTEN)

MUSIC MONDAY: “Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t” – A Jump Blues Collection (LISTEN)

By goodblacknews on January 11, 2021

by Marlon West (FB: marlon.west1 Twitter: @marlonw IG: stlmarlonwest Spotify: marlonwest)

For many of you riding along with these weekly playlists, some of these “points” may sound familiar.

The popular narrative of the originals of Rhythm & Blues and Rock and Roll leans heavily on the hardscrabble southern bluesman narrative.

The mythic trip to the crossroads and the juke joint circuit stories promoted by so many historians and rock legends leaves out the urban sophistication of Jump Blues artists and their contribution to the music we all love today.

[spotifyplaybutton play=”spotify:playlist:47GWb0G3Bhgp82EcW5QqHt”]

Jump blues evolved from the music of big bands like those of Lionel Hampton and Lucky Millinder. These groups of the early 1940s produced musicians such as Louis Jordan, Jack McVea, Earl Bostic, and Arnett Cobb that would start their own smaller groups.

These Jump groups became hugely popular in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Artists such as Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five, Big Joe Turner, Roy Brown, Charles Brown, Ruth Brown, Helen Humes, T-Bone Walker, Roy Milton, Billy Wright, Wynonie Harris, Buddy Johnson, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, and others produced hard-driving dance music that contributes mightily to the birth of Soul and Rock.

This is another collection that comes with a “Rumpshaker Warning” Enjoy!

And as always, stay safe, sane, and kind.

Marlon West (photo courtesy Marlon West)