After late 1925, when both lead trumpet soloist and jazz catalyst Louis Armstrong and longtime trumpeter Elmer Chambers left the Henderson band, it was a time of re-calibration.
To shore up the trumpet section, Henderson added 35-year-old Russell “Pops” Smith, brother of trumpeter Joe Smith. This was the cause of some friction in the band, as Smith had been previously married to Leora Henderson – who was now married to Fletcher.
The band was playing regularly at the Roseland at Broadway & 51st St in Manhattan – and in the first week of January, 1926 was booked at the Roseland with an orchestra led by B.A. Rolfe.
This recording session at the end of that week featured the full Henderson band and resulted in four sides that were released on both Vocalion and Brunswick. Three takes of “I Want to See a Little More of What I Saw in Arkansas” were recorded.
This tune no doubt was a popular dance number at the Roseland – but we hear many excellent soloists throughout to retain a sense of jazz vitality. The Hawk and Charlie Green figure most prominently, and Joe Green’s shorter trumpet solos perhaps remind us that the trumpet section is still adjusting to the loss of Armstrong.
0:00 Intro – Saxes
0:40 Tenor Sax solo (Coleman Hawkins)
1:00 Trumpet solo (Joe Smith)
1:09 Tenor Sax solo (Coleman Hawkins)
1:16 Ensemble
1:33 Trombone solo (Charlie Green)
2:08 Trumpet solo (Joe Smith)
2:28 Outro
Recorded in New York City on January 6, 1926.
Released as Vocalion 15205.
Credits:
Fletcher Henderson – piano, director
Russell Smith, Joe Smith, Luke Smith (?) – trumpet
Charlie Green – trombone
Buster Bailey – clarinet, alto sax
Don Redman, clarinet, alto sax
Coleman Hawkins – clarinet, tenor sax
Charlie Dixon – banjo
Ralph Escudero – tuba
Kaiser Marshall – drums
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