Thelma Carpenter sings
Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me
We have one last recording from Birdland in May 1951 to offer our members in The Goodies Room, namely music from an ABC telecast titled “The Kreisler Bandstand”, sponsored by a watchband manufacturer, named Jacques Kreisler and supposed to have taken place on May 3, 1951. (some sources say May 2). We here the same band as in all previous broadcasts in May and June 1951, but with two new singers, Thelma Carpenter and Avon Long, who were only to appear with Duke Ellington and his orchestra on this specific occasion. Both singers were well-known personalities in the entertainment world, Thelma Carpenter had replaced Helen Humes in the Basie orchestra, and Avon Long had been performing in the role of Sportin’ Life in Gershwin’s Porgy And Bess on Broadway.This music file has been put together from two different sources, an LP from 1975 titled “Hooray For Duke Ellington” (Session Disc 107) and from a private tape. This explains the variation in sound quality. The LP material was also edited originally. The following music is played:
*Take The A Train – theme*Take The A Train*Something To Live For*Caravan*I Got It Bad*VIP Boogie/Jam With Sam*Take The A Train & close*
All titles except Take The A Train-theme and Take The A Train & close have been issued previously on Session Disc 107.
Thelma Carpenter, an excellent jazz singer, performs on Something To Live For and on Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me and Avon Long on I Got It Bad. The remaining numbers are Caravan with solo played by Juan Tizol and the usual display of soloists on VIP Boogie/Jam With Sam.