November 2008 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of jazz trumpet
legend Bunny Berigan. During the month of November 2008, The Virtual
Victrola will feature the music of Bunny Berigan, both as a sideman and
bandleader.
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On March 31, 1937, RCA Victor records brought together veteran jazzmen Tommy Dorsey, Bunny Berigan, Fats Waller, Dick McDonough, and George Wettling to record several "jam session" sides for the label.
Jazz historian and author Dick Sudhalter writes,
Recording director Eli Oberstein saw it as a great promotional opportunity, with Dorsey and Waller established as Victor artists, and Bunny about to launch his own band on the label after the triumph of "Marie" and "Song of India" [two numbers recorded by the Tommy Dorsey orchestra that featured soaring Berigan trumpet solos -ed]. But Oberstein didn't reckon on Berigan showing up with a pint in each pocket, and Waller probably similarly fortified. Out of four planned titles they got only two: but both "Honeysuckle Rose" and a nicely turned E flat "Blues" are good, spirited fun.
And indeed they are. Unfortunately, by this time Bunny Berigan had already begun drinking very
heavily, and although it had not yet physically affected his playing,
his descent into severe alcoholism had already begun to overshadow over his
ability to be a responsible and successful bandleader.
But the two sides recorded by this all-star group (with no bass player!) are still a treat. Surprisingly, Tommy Dorsey is probably the weakest pure jazz soloist of the group; yet he turns out two very solid performances. Guitarist Dick McDonough's tricky ascending triplet figure is the highlight of "Honeysuckle Rose," and Berigan's beautiful solo on "Blues" elevates the number in ways that envoke Louis Armstrong's classic "West End Blues."
Download Jam Session At Victor - Honeysuckle Rose.mp3
Download Jam Session At Victor - Blues.mp3
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