[Dixielandjazz] Chord Question in "Louisiana"

[Larry Zaidan]

Dear Listers:

Is the chord, 4 bars from the end of the chorus definitely an Eb, or can it be played as a Bb7?

As written: F7/Eb7/Eb7/Ab/Ab, the last 5 bars make intellectual sense, but I find the F7 going to Eb7 too jarring.

I feel that it flows more smoothly, harmonically, as F7/Bb7/Eb7/Ab/Ab for the last 5 bars, in spite of the obvious melodic clues.

Any insight would be appreciated!  (As you can probably guess, I am fairly new to the Trad Jazz scene.)

Thanks,

Larry Z.