I’ve been going through some electric Brunswicks in the dance band section of the jazz bunker and have a few that I’ll be sharing over the next week or so.
First up is a snappy sweet-n-hot dance record from Hal Kemp that includes a fine arrangement and endearing vocal trio performance by Kemp accompanied by Saxie Dowell and Skinny Ennis (who later became a well known bandleader in his own right).
We get a jolly trumpet solo (Bob Mayhew?) around the 2:22 mark that keeps close to the melody until the last measure when it gets a little creative with the break into the next section.
This was recorded when Kemp was 24 – having just graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1926, where he led a campus band known as the Carolina Club Orchestra. Interesting that they noted his Alma Mater on this record label.
He later went on to find national fame in the 30s recording sweeter tunes that became big hits. So after hearing this record you can now join the club of curmudgeons who “prefer his earlier stuff.”
Recorded in New York City on March 7, 1928.
Released as Brunswick 3863.
Credits:
Hal Kemp – director, clarinet, alto sax, vocals
Bob Mayhew, Earl Geiger – trumpet
Wendell “Gus” Mayhew – trombone
Jack Mayhew – clarinet, alto sax
Ben Williams – clarinet, alto sax, baritone sax
Saxie Dowell – clarinet, tenor sax, vocals
Bromo Sulser – violin
John Scott Trotter – piano, arranger
Olly Humphries – banjo
Jim Mullen – tuba
Skinny Ennis – drums, vocals
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