[Dixielandjazz] Wabash Blues

[David Richoux]

"Wabash" is a great song with a long history, but the problem I have  
with it is in the first ending of the main chorus - when the song is  
played in Eb (as we do in "and That's Jazz") the very important  
passing chord is B Natural. This note is the most 'out-of-tune" note  
for BBb tubas, unless one has a 5 valve horn (and there are not very  
many 5 valve BBb tubas used in jazz bands!)

One has to be very careful to play it just right...

Dave Richoux


On Jan 19, 2009, at 10:01 PM, Bill Haesler wrote:

> billsharp wrote:
>> Wabash blues is traditionally played in Eb.  I once saw a "chorus  
>> patter".  Would anyone please have it, with the chords?
>> Also, Is there a verse?
>
> Dear Bill,
> This is what I have.
> I hope it helps.
> The interludes shown below are the "chorus patter" you mention.
> The Lucille Hegamin version for Arto recorded in Oct 1921 has intro/  
> verse/chorus/interlude 1/chorus.
> The Mamie Smith version for Okeh recorded on 16 Feb 1922 has intro/ 
> verse/chorus interlude 1/interlude 2/chorus.
> Both change the lyrics only slightly to suit their style.
> I also checked other band versions in my collection (Benson Orch of  
> Chicago, Isham Jones Ted Lewis, Troy Floyd, Coon-Sanders Nighthawks,  
> Charleston Chasers) while preparing this thread, but most used a 2- 
> bar intro then chorus/verse/choruses.
> Those that included a vocal used the words to the chorus only.
> There is a good selection of early versions at the Red Hot Jazz Song  
> site:
>   http://www.mainely-jazz.com/rhsongs/songframes.html
> Kind regards,
> Bill.