Frederico “Fred” Elizalde was born to a wealthy family in the Philippines who sent him to study Law at Stanford University in the early 1920s, where he also continued his piano studies and played at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles and recorded for Brunswick with the Cinderella Roof Orchestra in San Francisco. He then moved to London to study at Cambridge, but soon found himself focusing full-time on his music.
His London band included his brother “Lizz” on alto sax and was hired to play at the Savoy Hotel. In 1927 alone, his band (under various names) recorded 34 tunes and released 14 records for Brunswick and one for HMV.
This original tune by Elizalde, “Rhythm Step”, showcases his admiration of the swingin’ jazz rhythms that he was exposed to in the U.S. While the track does include extended piano and trumpet solos, the emphasis is always firmly on the rhythm.
Elizalde also recorded a solo piano version of this tune around the same time.
A few months later, Elizalde would famously bring over Americans Adrian Rollini, Bobby Davis, and Chelsea Quealey of the California Ramblers to play in his orchestra – a story for another time.
Recorded in London circa July-August, 1927.
Released in the U.K. as Brunswick 114.
Credits:
Fred Elizalde – piano, arranger, director
Henry Levine, George Ratcliffe – trumpet
Jack Miranda, Manuel “Lizz” Elizalde – clarinet, alto sax
Joe Crossman – tenor sax, baritone sax
George Hurley – violin
Joe Brannelly – banjo
Tiny Stock – tuba
Max Bacon – drums