[Dixielandjazz] Jazz Vespers/ Thomas A. (Georgia Tom) Dorsey

[Norman Vickers]

Thanks to Steve Barbone and Ginny (Gluetje1 at aol.com) for your responses.
I'd be interested in other responses regarding jazz vespers  from those who
have experience in that area.

 

One small comment -see Ginny's note ( snip) regarding Thomas A. ( Georgia
Tom) Dorsey

>>What a fascinating composer and lyricist, kept on >simultaneously  writing
great "gospel" and great rowdy tunes.

 

 

As I read the story of Thomas A. Dorsey and as presented in the TV special a
couple of years ago ( unfortunately, I don't have a tape and don't remember
which channel it was presented on.)  In the TV show, Dorsey had a religious
experience and subsequently only wrote religious songs-Precious Lord, Take
my Hand being the most successful.  However, on further reading, as Ginny
reports, he'd swing back and forth between the religious and secular but
gradually only performed religious music.

 

 "Tight Like That" and "At A Georgia Camp Meeting" are a couple of his more
notable secular compositions.  He accompanied (piano) Bessie Smith and Ma
Rainey on their tours.

 

Thanks Steve and Ginny.

 

Norman Vickers