[Dixielandjazz] Downloadble Kenny Davern Track on Traditional-jazz.com

[John Petters]

Greetings Folks,
I've just uploaded a track of Kenny Davern with my Swing Band to my 
website. It is in MP3 format and is downloadble and comes from the CD 
Live & Swinging. It will be there for a week and is free.

The track (That's A Plenty) gives a good example of Kenny's unique 
approach to playing OKOM as Steve pointed out in his essay. It was 
recorded live in 1985 at a jazz club in Harlow Essex. Kenny insisted on 
turning off all the PA microphones and he could be heard fully and 
dynamically without any trouble at all.

The band had Roger Nobes on vibes - so I was a little nervous in case 
Kenny thought he was expected to be in 'Goodman' mode. As I said 
yesterday, he did in fact nod in that direction, but not the BG of 1935. 
He quotes the BG of the late 20s with his opening chorus.

We did not have any rehearsal for the gig and it was the first time the 
entire band had played together. Kenny led the session with authority, 
dynamics and excitement.

The link is on my home page, together with a photo of a trio session we 
did (with Martin Litton on piano) at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
http://www.traditional-jazz.com
click the icon to download the track.

Kenny was always happy to play traditional jazz standards, usually 
associated with a three piece front line, with a small group. We played 
(with the Trio) arrangements of Willie The Weeper, Chimes Blues, 
Shimme-sha-Wobble and many other Dixieland classics.

One of his hottest recordings is a roaring trio version of 'Shimme' 
recorded on the Jazz At The New School album in 1972 with Gene Krupa and 
Dick Wellstood. Kenny played soprano sax on this session. The track 
builds to a roaring climax, with Kenny being drive hard by Krupa, who 
was in stunning form despite his illness. The price of the CD is worth 
it for that track alone - but the session also features Wild Bill and is 
the final session by Eddie Condon.

Kenny did have a fall out with Wild Bill over Pee Wee. Bill told me he 
always felt he had to help Pee Wee out and preferred Ed Hall. He must 
mentioned this to Kenny as Kenny  told me  that he said to Bill that he 
felt he had to help him out when his lip failed.

Thanks for the music, Kenny
-- 
John Petters
www.traditional-jazz.com
Amateur Radio Station G3YPZ