“Memphis Bound” – Fletcher Henderson and his Orchestra f/ Louis Armstrong (1925)

In the winter of 1924-25, Sam Lanin and Fletcher Henderson were the house bands at the Roseland in NYC, playing every evening. Lanin’s band featured Trumpet player Red Nichols and Henderson’s band showcased the talents of a hot trumpet player from New Orleans by way of Chicago: Louis Armstrong.

In April of 1925, Howard Scott was replaced by Joe Smith on trumpet in Fletcher’s band – and he can also be heard soloing at the end of “Memphis Bound”.

The tune starts with Armstrong leading us off, Coleman Hawkins steps in with a wonderful bass sax solo followed by a piano break by Henderson and ending with Joe Smith taking us out with a trumpet solo.

Recorded in New York on April 18, 1925.
Released as Vocalion 15030.

Fletcher Henderson – director, piano
Louis Armstrong, Elmer Chambers, Joe Smith – trumpet
Charlie Green – trombone
Buster Bailey, Don Redman – clarinet, alto sax
Coleman Hawkins – clarinet, tenor sax, bass sax
Charlie Dixon – banjo
Ralph Escudero – baritone brass
Kaiser Marshall – drums