[Dixielandjazz] Panama - Original Sheet Music

[dwlit at cpcug.org]

I'm surprised that Pianosaurus Tex doesn't have the original sheet music.
Fortunately Dan Levinson sent me relevant parts of the original Stock
Chart (piano, cornet, violin, flute) and I'm gonna make a lead sheet. It
does appear to be phrased as a tango or habanera, and is in D--the only
instruction is "Modto (not fast)".

The ending in my fake book appears first (in my collection) in 1934 NORK
(1st 4 bars only), then full-blown in the Wild Bill Davison record--played
twice! The downward progression tag Steve mentioned is in the Stock; might
provide bands with something new.

As for my E out chorus, I haven't done a chronology yet, so I don't know
where I first hear it.

The simple chord solo chorus is on so many records (tho' not half of them)
that I'm adding it at the bottom my sheet (p. 2) as an option.

Mo' later.

--Sheik

> Well, I got an education about "Panama" earlier this evening. I
> rehearsed with Tex Wyndham's rehearsal band and I asked him about it.
> (Whether or not you like Tex, IMO, the man knows as much or more about
> OKOM than anyone else out there)
>
> Sheet Music:  In all his 60 years of collecting original sheet music,
> he never saw an original  of Panama. HOWEVER, he does have a photo
> copy of the original piano sheet music which I looked at.
>
> Surprise Surprise. It is a 4 strain tune plus intro and tag. We almost
> all play the correct intro (more or less) but I'd bet the Farm damn
> few of us play the original tag. It is not the ending that is in
> Sheik's fake book (which most bands play) but an entirely different
> one that I have never heard anyone play. Tex has no info on who first
> added the current tag.
>
> AND, the tune is written with a LATIN BEAT.  Rhumba or Tango time?
> Possibly influence of the Spanish Tinge which was prevalent in Jazz at
> the time Panama was written.
>
> PLUS, the descending chorus (E Strain Out Chorus in Sheik's Fake Book
> which almost all bands play) is not in the original sheet music. Tex
> has no info on who first added the descending chorus.
>
> So if we want to do the original Panama, maybe we should listen to
> some Tito Puente. <grin>
>
> Regarding the chords, I posted previously (Tex's Version) His are
> pretty close to the original sheet music, except for the tag and the
> descending chorus. He added those from records. Probably from Turk
> Murphy's version. As he put it, his version is an amalgam of original
> sheet music and various records.
>
> We also listened to and discussed a Condon gang recording and found
> that the solo chorus they use is not in the original sheet music
> either, but a variation.
>
> So as Sheik asked, "What is the definitive record of Panama?"
>
> I figure there are two possible answers.
>
> 1) There is none. OR
> 2) Which ever one you like best.
>
> Cheers,
> Steve Barbone
> www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband
>
> PS. I have heard there is a Stomp Off record release with a band doing
> the latin beat Panama. Possibly The Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble
> or New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra or Pacific Coast Ragtime Orchestra?
> Neither Tex nor I are sure if any are done to the original sheet
> music, not having heard these versions.
>
>
>
>
>
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