[Dixielandjazz] Tram

[Bert]

Hello Steve,
Your opinion on Trumbauer is a kind of easy common thought general truth. However, there can be made other thoughts about him. Esp. if one puts him in the correct time perspective.First of all, he was an excellent musician. Find me a player today, who actually can PLAY Trumbology at his speed of staccato.
At a time in 1927 he made great recordings with an elegance and grace that was new to saxophone playing. Compare to Ben Webster strugling in 1931 with Blanche Calloway, still in the more old-fashioned Rudy Wiedoeft mood, and NEVER really making it.It can not be pointed out enough that the skill of sax players like Trumbauer and Jimmy Dorsey had an enourmous influence on 'supposed to be' more important jazz players like Lester Young and Charlie Parker. Same accounts for the almost total forgotten influence from (highly talented) Adrian Rollini on Coleman Hawkins. However, it is not difficult to prove.Just collect the records and play them in the correct time frame. I did it and it was an eye-opener.
Also keep in mind that in 1927, Hodges had not even joined Ellington and at first was making loads of mistakes. Playing major chords on minor harmonies in the Mooche in 1928 or his first version of Rent Party Blues (March 1 1929), where his coda doesn't fit the chords. Trumbauer did not make these kind of mistakes.Before Hodges of course Otto Hardwick was Ellington's hot soloist, but I would not say that he was a better jazz improvisor than Trumbauer was.
Also keep in mind two other things, 1. there is an interview with Artie Shaw where he states that in 1927, the Jean Goldkette orchestra (With Bix, Tram and Steve Brown) did impress him much more than for instance Fletcher Henderson. It is not difficult to understand his point. 2. Benny Carter stated in interview that the Fletcher Henderson band was very nervous when they had to play opposite Goldkette, because they realised how good a band that was. (we also have to go into the 1930's before Fletcher's band, aided by John Kirby, got a modern swinging rhythm that Steve Brown gave the Goldkette band allready in 1927.)
Then we also should be very gratefull for Trumbauer's assistence in keeping Bix more or less on a right track in life. Although it didn't last forever, we thank a bunch of the greatest classic jazz recordings through them working together.
Kind regards 
Bert Brandsma

> You're not missing much. Trambauer was never a great jazz improviser. He was better as an aircraft pilot. When he made these Capitols (which I have) he was way past his best and at this period very rusty. The arrangements are by Bill Stegmeyer (of Lawson-Haggart fame) and he plays clarinet on the date. Also on it are Pee Wee Erwin, Dave Bowman and a not bad Teagarden sound-alike, Jack Lacey. For some odd reason there are two bassists, Trigger Alpert and Bob Haggart. Johnny Blowers was the drummer.
> Steve Voce
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