The entrance to Blue Note in the early 1950’s
In the 1950’s Duke Ellington and his men played regularly at The Blue Note in Chicago. During that decade, he performed there at virtually all New Year’s celebrations. There are many surviving broadcasts from this period and one of them are in the Goodies R00m this month. It is the one from Jan 1, 1953.
The Blue Note was established in 1947, by Frank Holzfeind, who had the ambition to feature most jazz greats in his club, an ambition he succeeded in, and soon Duke Ellington could be seen and heard there.
Ellington’s first recording of Rock Skippin’ At The Blue Note, August 7, 1951
indicating that Ellington was featured there almost right from the start.
The Blue Note was one of the first fully integrated clubs in downtown Chicago.
Back to Jan 1, 1953, this is from the first hour of 1953, the continuation of a party at the club, that of course started the evening before, where Ellington and his men performed, but from which we have at present no recording available. So, we can only listen to the first early dance tunes from New Year’s Day in 1953, and with only moderate sound quality.
There are no surprises in the band personnell here, but it could be mentioned that this was half a year before Johnny Hodges’ return to the band, so Hilton Jefferson is playing alto saxophone.
The following tunes are played: *Take The A Train*Fancy Dan*My Little Brown Book*Bensonality*The Hawk Talks*Creole Love Call*All Of Me*Smada*How High The Moon*
My Little Brown Book is sung by Jimmy Grissom, Betty Roché is heard on All Of Me, and on Bensonality you will hear Jimmy Hamilton playing one of his rare tenor solos. Jimmy Hamilton is the only soloist in Smada. The outro, How High The Moon, is very short.
Happy Listening!
Anders Asplund