Luis Russell

Limiting the history of Jazz to a logical succession of Great Men (sic) makes it too simple. Important individuals personified  improvised music advances, but each expressed the aggregate of group ideas and experiments. That’s why this volume is relevant. Its 20 selections trace the activities of pianist Luis Russell at the Swing Era’s 1938-1940 height. Russell (1902-1963) is known as leader of Louis Armstrong’s 1930s big band. His story is more nuanced than that.

Russell had already organized a band with star soloists when Armstrong took it over and renamed the group as his own. It’s doubtful whether the famous trumpeter would have made a successful transition from Classic Jazz hot soloist to distinguished big band entertainer without Luis’ disciplined orchestra and contemporary arrangements. About half of the all air-check tracks are from the band’s engagement at Chicago’s Grand Terrace ballroom complete with unctuous announcer and banal dialogue from Armstrong. While there are snatches of soaring trumpet breaks and semi-scat vocals from Armstrong, the riffing choruses and smooth harmonies from the seasoned group, resemble that of any Swing band. Despite crackles and drop-outs the performance is elevated when Russell regulars like trumpeter Henry “Red” Allen, trombonist J.C. Higgenbottom and clarinetist Albert Nicholas take choruses. Standout track is Mary Lou Williams’ “Riffs (Dunkin’ A Donut)” an ebullient foot-tapper with buoyant riffs, an expressive Allen solo and a beat guided by Paul Barbarin’s cowbell and bass drum thumps. Two later tracks are mostly backing for band singer Sonny Woods.

Histrionic Woods and warbling vocalist Bobbie Caston also take up space on the five selections by the band under Russell’s leadership without Armstrong. Despite the vocals the group sounds freer with call-and-response vamps and peppy interlocutions on two Russell originals, “Hot Bricks”, probably a set closer, and the title tune, plus Allen’s “Algiers Stomp”. Clarinet trills cut through the glossy saxophone section lines on the Allen tune, while the trumpeter jokingly quotes “There’s A Place In France…” during his “Hot Bricks” solo. On “At the Swing Cats Ball” Allen not only blasts out triplets but also interpolates “Short’nin’ Bread” into the head, while alto saxophonist Charlie Holmes stutters out counter variations. The disc ends with four brief stride piano solos by Russell where his ripples and tinkles updated James P. Johnson work.  As much historical as musical interest, this CD fills in one background story so that a storied Great Man doesn’t stand alone.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Jammin’ 2. After You’ve Gone 3. Them There Eyes 4. Blue Rhythm Fantasy 5. I’ve Got A Heart Full of Rhythm 6. Riffs (Dunkin’ A Donut) Part 1 7. Riffs (Dunkin’ A Donut) Part 2 8. Mister Ghost Goes To Town Part 1 9. Mister Ghost Goes To Town Part 2 10. Ol’ Man River 11. Heebie Jeebies 12. At The Swing Cats Ball 13. Algiers Stomp 14. Hot Bricks 15. Melancholy Lullaby & Lilacs In The Rain 16. Leanin’ On The Ole Top Rail & Gotta Get Home 17. Rippling Waters – 1:26 I 18. Fussin’ 19. Echo of Spring 20. Moonlight Cocktail

Personnel: 1-9,: Louis Armstrong (tp,vcl), Shelton Hemphill, Louis Bacon, Henry “Red” Allen (tp) Wilbur DeParis, George Washington, J.C. Higginbotham (tb) Pete Clarke, Charlie Holmes (as) Albert Nicholas, Bingie Madison (cl, ts) Luis Russell (p) Lee Blair (g) Pops Foster (b) Paul Barbarin (d) 10-14: Bacon, Hemphill, Otis Johnson, (tp) DeParis, Washington, Higginbotham (tb) Rupert Cole, Holmes (as) Madison (ts) Nicholas (ts,cl) Russell (p,) Blair (g) Foster (b) Barbarin or Sid Catlett (d); Sonny Woods, Bobbie Caston (vo) 15, 16: Armstrong, Hemphill, Allen, Shelton,  Bernard Flood (tp) DeParis, Washington, Higginbotham (tb) Cole (cl, as) Holmes (as) Joe Garland (ts,bar) Madison (ts) Russell (p) Blair (g) Foster (b) Catlett (d), Woods (vcl) 17-20: Russell (piano)