“Old Man Blues” is an energized contrafact of “Old Man River” – the hit by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein from the Broadway play “Showboat”. Duke dials up the tempo and gives it an innovative arrangement full of engaging moments and showboating solos.
Duke and the band were in Hollywood to appear in the Amos ‘n Andy film “Check and Double Check” and while there, recorded three songs: this one, “Ring Dem Bells” and “Three Little Words.”
If you’d like to watch Duke and the band play this tune in the film, head over to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGb6fpS4Ais
It’s a rare opportunity to see an early jazz band playing live, complete with the showmanship that they exhibited nightly at the Cotton Club.
Recorded in Hollywood, California on August 26, 1930.
Released as Victor 23022.
Credits:
Duke Ellington – piano, arranger, director
Cootie Williams, Arthur Whetsel, Freddy Jenkins – trumpet
Joe Nanton – trombone
Juan Tizol – valve trombone
Johnny Hodges – clarinet, soprano sax, alto sax
Harry Carney – clarinet, alto sax, baritone sax
Barney Bigard – clarinet, tenor sax
Fred Guy – banjo
Wellman Braud – bass
Sonny Greer – drums
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