Developing an American Orchestra, 1923-1937
Fletcher Henderson |
Released 1977 Like the fine Columbia retrospective A Study in Frustration or the many quality Classics discs covering the band's prime, this Smithsonian collection of Fletcher Henderson's groundbreaking sides makes for a fine introduction to the bandleader's catalog. Wisely, the focus is on material from the '20s, when Henderson's soloists and arrangers were at their most adventurous. In addition to hearing Coleman Hawkins develop over the course of the first half of the collection -- partly by way of Louis Armstrong's influence -- one gets Armstrong himself on a handful of 1924-1925 numbers ("Copenhagen") that not only changed the Henderson band's direction, but transformed the sound of jazz as well. The new big band sound can also be traced to arranger Don Redman, whose unique and swinging charts are heard on most of the first 16 sides here. Benny Carter would later take over arranging duties and is represented on the Redman-caliber "Blazin'," "Somebody Loves Me," and "Keep a Song in Your Heart." Besides all of these riches, there are top-notch contributions by sorely underrated players like trumpeters Joe Smith and Tommy Ladnier, clarinetist Buster Bailey, alto saxophonist Hilton Jefferson, drummer Kaiser Marshall, and trombonist J.C. Higginbotham ("King Porter Stomp"). And on the later tracks from the '30s, there are even cameos by the like of Fats Waller, Roy Eldridge, Chu Berry, and Ben Webster. An essential collection for any jazz fan. ~ Stephen Cook, All Music Guide
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 |  | Harlem in the Thirties (2007) | The Big Reunion (1957 - 1957) | Fletcher Henderson's Sextet (1950) (1950 - 1950) |  | Fletcher Henderson with the Blues Singers, Vol. 2 (1923-1924) (1995) |  | A Study in Frustration | A Thesaurus of Classic Jazz | Radio Rhythm (2005) | Blue Rhythm (2003) | New York to Chicago: 1924-1936 (live) (2002) | Wrappin' It Up (2002) | Classic Years (2002) | The Alternative Takes, Vol. 2: 1926-1936 (2001) | The Alternative Takes, Vol. 1: 1923-1925 (2001) | The Harmony & Vocalion Sessions, Vol. 2: 1927-1928 (2001) | Jazz After Hours (2001) | Riffin' (2001) | The Harmony & Vocalion Sessions, Vol. 1: 1925-1926 (2000) | Ken Burns Jazz (2000) | Sugar Foot Stomp (2000) | The Essence of Swing: Wild Party (2000) | Father of the Big Band, 1925-1937 (1999) | 1924-1938 (1998) | Introduction to Fletcher Henderson: His Best Recordings 1921-1941 (1996) | 1924, Vol. 1 (1996) | 1924, Vol. 2 (1996) | 1924, Vol. 3 (1996) | 1923-1924 (1996) | 1927-1937 (1996) | Wild Party (1995) | Yeah Man (1995) | Fletcher Henderson with the Blues Singers, Vol. 1 (1921-1923) (1995) | Jazz Age: Great Original Performances, 1925-1928 (1994) | 1923 (1993) | Swing (1988) | Developing an American Orchestra, 1923-1937 (1977) | Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra, 1923-1927 (1972) | Fletcher Henderson (1954) | Fletcher Henderson Memorial Album (1953) | Fletcher Henderson with Slam Stewart and the Jazz Tones (1945 - 1959) | Live at the Grand Terrace Chicago 1938 (live) (1938 - 1938) | 1937-1938 (1937 - 1938) | The End of an Era (1936 - 1941) | Slumming on Park Avenue (1934 - 1938) | 1934-1937 (1934 - 1937) | Under the Harlem Moon (1932 - 1937) | 1932-1934 (1932 - 1934) | Swing's the Thing (1931-1934) (instrumental) (1931 - 1934) | 1931-1932 (1931 - 1932) | Tidal Wave (1931 - 1934) | The Crown King of Swing (1931 - 1931) | 1931 (1931 - 1931) | Swing (1929-1937) (instrumental) (1929 - 1937) | Fletcher Henderson (1929-1937) (1929 - 1937) | 1927-1931 (instrumental) (1927 - 1931) | Hocus Pocus: Classic Big Band Jazz (1927 - 1936) | Indispensable (1927 - 1936) | The Complete Fletcher Henderson (1927-1936) (1927 - 1936) | 1927 (1927 - 1927) | 1926-1927 (1926 - 1927) | Fletcher Henderson (1925-1929) (1925 - 1929) | Fletcher Henderson and the Dixie Stompers (1925-1928) (1925 - 1928) | 1925-1926 (1925 - 1926) | Fletcher Henderson (1925-1928) (1925 - 1928) | Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra (1924-1941) (1924 - 1941) | First Impressions (1924-1931) (instrumental) (1924 - 1931) | 1924-1925 (1924 - 1925) | Fletcher Henderson and Louis Armstrong (1924 - 1925) | Fletcher Henderson with Louis Armstrong (1924-1927) (instrumental) (1924 - 1927) | The Pathe Sessions (1923-1925) (1923 - 1925) | Henderson Paths (1923 - 1925) | A Study in Frustration/Thesaurus of Classic Jazz (1923 - 1938) | Rarest Fletcher, Vol. 1 (1923-1924) (instrumental) (1923 - 1924) | Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra, Vol. 2: 1923-1925 (1923 - 1925) | Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra, Vol. 1: 1923-1924 (1923 - 1924) | Fletcher Henderson (1923) (1923 - 1924) | 1921-1923 (1921 - 1923) |
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