“High Tension” – Luis Russell and his Orchestra (1930)

One of three recordings the great Luis Russell orchestra made during a fantastic 1930 session that I’ll be highlighting over the next week.

This tune composed by Belgian David Bee has been called “hectic” and “quirky” – but seems to fit into a genre of jazz composition about strange mental states (think Arthur Schutt’s “Delirium” or Fletcher Henderson’s “Jangled Nerves” or “Queer Notions”), which are among my favorite compositions!

In any case, there are many delightful moments to be enjoyed on this record – as solos begin after the first 54 seconds. We hear a rapid fire line of 8 bar solos with standout moments from Higginbotham and also from the trio of Russell, Foster, and Barbarin.

Recorded in New York City on September 5, 1930.
Released in the U.K. as Parlophone R 1064.
(Original domestic release = Okeh 8849)

Credits
Luis Russell – piano, director
Otis Johnson, Henry Red Allen – trumpet
J.C. Higginbotham – trombone
Charlie Holmes – alto sax
Albert Nicholas – alto sax, clarinet
Greely Walton – tenor sax
Will Johnson – banjo, guitar
George Pops Foster – string bass
Paul Barbarin – drums

The two other recordings from this same session:

“Muggin’ Lightly”
https://youtu.be/uezEjgzmt8E

“Panama”
https://youtu.be/WeryW5ri6yU