“Tiger Rag” – Fred Elizalde and his Hot Music

In late 1927 Adrian Rollini left New York and set sail for London with trumpet player Chelsea Quealey and saxophonist Bobby Davis for a gig at the posh Savoy hotel with Fred Elizalde, a young Filipino pianist who had studied law at both Stanford and Cambridge before starting a successful run as a bandleader.

In “Tiger Rag”, recorded in January of 1928, was from the first recording session of Elizalde’s “hot” band with the newly arrived American players.

The first clip includes the head with vibrant ensemble playing reminiscent of the best University Six and Goofus Five records. The second clip starts with a brief piano break by Elizalde, after which we hear Davis launch into an inspired sax solo. The last clip includes Rollini rolling through a bass sax solo like a oversized load speeding through a narrow stretch of road.

Released in the UK only as Brunswick 147. Never released in the U.S. on 78 rpm.

Credits
Fred Elizalde – piano
Chelsea Quealey – trumpet
Bobby Davis – clarinet, soprano sax, alto sax
Adrian Rollini – bass saxophone, goofus, hot fountain pen
Len Fillis – guitar
Ronnie Gubertini – drums