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FEBRUARY 19, 1941 |
Wednesday |
“AMERICA IN
SWINGTIME” |
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second annual
American Music Festival |
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Municipal Broadcasting
System (WNYC), NYC |
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12-BAR BLUES |
Key of |
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Bb |
Quarter Note = |
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84 |
Time: |
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2:29 |
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4-BAR INTRO +
4 CHORUSES: |
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4 bars –
clarinet |
(Intro) |
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» |
2 chor – CC
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(over ens riffs) |
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1 chor –
trumpet & clarinet |
(call & response) |
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Personnel: |
Issued Recordings: |
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Benny Goodman &
his Sextet |
< unissued > |
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CHARLIE CHRISTIAN.....Guitar |
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GEORGIE AULD.................tenor
sax |
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BENNY GOODMAN..........clarinet |
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COOTIE WILLIAMS..........trumpet |
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JOHNNY GUARNIERI........piano |
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ARTIE BERNSTEIN............bass |
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DAVE TOUGH.....................drums |
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Transcription Page: The Blues
C&A:
This unreleased blues is referred to on the “America in Swingtime” radio
program simply as The Blues by M.C. Ralph Berton and Benny Goodman. It was
broadcast as part of the American Music Festival which was held between the 12th and 22nd
of February in 1941.
Charlie Christian’s solo is one of the very best blues that he ever recorded with
the sextet. There are unexpected phrases here and there throughout the solo, but it
is the startling rhythmic placement on virtually every measure that amazes and provides
even greater fascination. Interestingly, he seems to treat the solo as a 24-bar
chorus rather than two choruses.
Charles seems to have been in particularly good form on this date. The Blues
is followed by The Sheik of Araby on which he gets no solo but next, on Gone
with “What” Wind, he plays the best solo that he recorded on that
tune. CC is very active on the theme to Stompin’ at the Savoy during
the sign-off, playing some really incredible stuff while everybody else is just coasting
on out.
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