An Interracial Tune A Day (#7) An Early Very Mixed Group

Guitar/Banjo player Eddie Condon was one of the key innovators in putting together interracial sessions. He was a big fan of the Charlie Johnson Orchestra, one of the key groups in New York City in the late-20's-early 30's. He drew several members of that black group for this session and combined them with stellar white players.

Charlie Johnson's Paradise Orchestra

Eddie Condon

Trumpeter Leonard Davis is featured on "That’s a serious thing" and Jack Teagarden handles the vocal in his inimitable way. T. also solos on trombone and around 2'10" he plays a line that we will hear years later in "Stormy Weather." I wonder if Harold Arlen knew this track.

Eddie’s Hot Shots: Leonard Davis (tp) Jack Teagarden (tb,vcl) Mezz Mezzrow (c-mel) Happy Caldwell (ts) Joe Sullivan (p) Eddie Condon (bj) George Stafford (d) New York, February 8, 1929

•  I’m Gonna Stomp Mr. Henry Lee (jt vcl)- Vic V38046, Family (It)DP697, VJM (E)VLP55

•  I’m gonna stomp Mr. Henry Lee (jt vcl)- BB B10168, RCA LPV528;

•  That’s a Serious Thing (jt vcl)- BB B10168, Cam CAL383, RCA LPV528;

•  That’s a Serious Thing (jt vcl)- Vic V38046, “X” LX3005, HMV (E)B4987, (Aus)EA2970

On this video we get to hear both takes.

All entries are from my book “As Long as They Can Blow. Interracial Jazz Recording and Other Jive Before 1935.”