Hungarian violinist and composer Jenö Hubay composed “Hejre Kati” (literally “Hey, Katie”) in the 1880s. The composer was still teaching in Budapest when American jazz violinist Eddie South was touring Europe from 1928 – 1931.
South, who was a classically trained violinist, visited with Hubay during his time there.
When he returned to the Great Depression-ravaged U.S. in 1931, he recorded Hubay’s composition in a recording session for Victor.
South’s version is a kind of homage to the fusion of his musical worlds: a classical composition played with a distinctively jazzy sensibility.
The first section of the piece sets the lyrical bowing to a swung 4/4 rhythm, and the surprising highlight of the improvised section that follows is South’s scatted vocalizations, seeming to both pay tribute to the melody while delivering near-comprehensible lyrical verses. South finishes the recording with virtuostic flair on solo violin, showing his chops as both a classical artist and a jazz improviser of the highest order.
If you’d like to hear Hubay’s original composition as traditionally performed in a classical setting, listen to Toscha Seidel’s recording from 1919:
https://youtu.be/jtI_lEgdC0k
Recorded in Chicago, Illinois on September 27, 1931.
Released as Victor 22847.
Credits:
Eddie South – violin, vocals, director
Clifford King – clarinet
Antonia Spaulding – piano
Everett Barksdale – banjo, guitar
Jimmy Bertrand – drums, bells
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