California Ramblers generally played stock arrangements of song sheets – though dazzling improvised solos began to appear on records starting in 1923.
“Sittin’ On A Corner” from late 1923 is one of those sides: things start off elegantly as the theme is stated – but at the 1:00 mark we hear something quite different: a hot and lively interchange between Adrian Rollini’s bass sax and Frank Cush’s trumpet. The conversation lasts for over 30 seconds, with each instrument effortlessly crisscrossing over the lines of the other. The “saucy” melody and “bouncing” rhythm create new musical ideas that bring this tune to life and make it so much more than a stock “dance orchestra” number.
Recorded in New York on September 18, 1923.
Released as Columbia A3994.
Credits:
Arthur Hand – director, violin
Frank Cush, Bill Moore – trumpet
Lloyd “Ole” Olsen – trombone
Bobby Davis – clarinet, soprano sax, alto sax
Arnold Brilhart – clarinet, alto sax
Freddy Cusick – tenor sax
Adrian Rollini – bass sax
Ed Sutton, Joe LaFaro, Sid Harris – violin (when used)
Irving Brodsky – piano
Ray Kitchingman – banjo
Stan King – drums
Leave a Reply