One of the hottest white dance bands of the late 1920's was the great Coon-Sanders Nighthawk Orchestra. The Nighthawks originally hailed from Kansas City, but successfully relocated to Chicago, where they became a mainstay at the Blackhawk Hotel.
One of the best examples of the excitement generated by the Coon-Sanders Orchestra is their June 1928 recording of "Blazin'," an original instrumental by Joe Sanders. Sanders, who was the band's pianist, drives the ensemble through this romping tune, aided by trumpeter Bob Pope, clarinetist Floyd Estep, and brothers Harold Thiel and John Thiel who both solo on alto sax.
Download Coon-Sanders Orch - Blazin' (MP3, 2 Mb)
Not quite a year later, in May 1929, the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra recorded their version of "Blazin'," using a modified arrangement by altoist Benny Carter. At the time, the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra was perhaps the top jazz and hot dance orchestra in America, and boasted unmatched talent in instrumental soloists as well as arrangers. This outstanding record features Bobby Stark on trumpet, Rex Stewart on cornet, Jimmy Harrison on trombone, Harvey Boone on alto sax, and Coleman Hawkins on tenor sax.
Download Fletcher Henderson AHO - Blazin' (MP3, 2.1 Mb)
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