4 Feb. 1953
According to New DESOR, Oscar Pettiford is the bass player on this broadcast from the Band Box in NYC, but according to other sources it might be Charlie Mingus. Who can tell? Wendell Marshall had temporarily left the band and Duke needed a good bass player until Marshall would come back.It is however confirmed that Pettiford was present two weeks later at Apollo Theatre. On this broadcast, Tony Scott was replacing Paul Gonsalves, and Hilton Jeffersson played alto.
Ray Nance from the Band Box
The bass player is clearly audible on the opening bars on Just A-Sittin’ And A-Rockin’. Maybe it is Oscar Pettiford after all? The Ellington band played at the Band Box from Jan. 30 to Feb 14, 1953. It is reported that broadcasts were occuring almost daily. In one such broadcast, Stan Getz was guest soloist.The playlist ias as follows:
*Bensonality*September Song*In A Mellotone*Baby You And Me*Blue Skies*Mood Indigo*Just A-Sittin’ And A-Rockin’*Smada*
Jimmy Hamilton is the main solosit in Bensonality (instead of Gonsalves) before Jimmy Grissom sings September Song, assisted by Ray Nance on violin. You should try to listen to the bass player on In A Mellow Tone, to see what your opinion is – Mingus or Pettiford? The next number is called Baby You And Me, but it is the same tune as the previous and with vocal by Betty Roché. Blue Skies is as usual a showcase for the four trumpet players Nance, Cook, Terry and Cat Anderson and Mood Indigo follows with Woodman, Jackson and Carney and with solos by Cook and Procope. Just A-Sittin’ And A-Rockin’ is a showcase for Ray Nance. The broadcast ends with Billy Strayhorns Smada with Jimmy Hamilton as the sole soloist.
DESS-members are welcome to listen to or download this broadcast if you visit the Goodies Room.
We hope you will enjoy!
And, by the way, have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!