[Dixielandjazz] Re: Sing, Sing, Sing Piano Solo

[Bill Haesler]

> A friend heard BG playing "Sing, Sing, Sing" on an internet radio station.
> What surprised him was the piano solo toward the end. I suggested that it
> was probably Jess Stacy at Carnegie Hall on January 16, 1938. He wants to
> know it there were other recordings which would fit the bill.


Dear Stan,
"Sing, Sing, Sing" by Benny Goodman.
Internet radio could have drawn from the dozens of versions (including
broadcasts) Benny played from 18 March 1936 up to the 1980s, many available
on LP and CD.
Let's have a look at the pre-war versions in my collection.
*6 July 1937. Victor. Pts 1 & 2. Stacy present, but no pno solo.
*10 Aug 1937. Camel Caravan broadcast. Stacy present, but no pno solo.
*16 Jan 1938. Carnegie Hall. The one with THE Stacy solo.
*8 Nov 1938. Camel Caravan broadcast. Lionel Hampton, d. Stacy present, but
no pno solo. Harry James really 'takes off' after trading riffs with Hamp.
Nice solo by Bud Freeman.
*11 April 1939. Camel Caravan broadcast. Hamp still stays with Gene's set
pattern for this feature, but swings, as only he can. Stacy present, but no
pno solo.
*Notwithstanding a certain coolness between Jess and Benny, after Jess was
'overlooked' in 'The Benny Goodman Story' film , Jess put together a
'Tribute to Benny Goodman' record album for Atlantic (recorded in 1954-55)
using early BG band charts and sidemen . On "Sing, Sing, Sing" (15 April
1954) Jess inserts a version of his Carnegie Hall solo.
*Then there is the 7 Dec 1955 version from the Capitol studio album "The
Benny Goodman Story" and a recreation of the Carnegie Hall version (with
Bobby Donaldson on drums). No pno solo.
(I never did get the film soundtrack album on Decca/MCA. A pity as it is now
rare. Silly me.)
Therefore, it looks like your friend heard the Carnegie Concert version.
Kind regards,
Bill.