George Olsen was born in Portland, Oregon but started his first band at the University of Michigan while a student there. He moved back west after college and started a band in Portland in 1919. By 1923 they were well known on the west coast and began recording for the Victor label, rapidly becoming one of the more popular dance orchestras in the country.
Though known more for playing popular sweet dance music, Olsen’s band did record some hotter records from time to time – including this one, which turned 100 years old just yesterday.
Recorded in New York City on February 5, 1926. Released as Victor 20024.
Credits: George Olsen – drums, director Floyd Rice, Bob Borger – trumpet Jack Fulton – trombone Fran Frey – alto sax Edward Joyce – clarinet, alto sax Milton Neul – clarinet, tenor sax Eddie Kilfeather – piano Bob Rice – banjo, guitar Jack Hansen – tuba
To continue the story of “Blue Skies” from that post: after the deluge of recorded versions of the tune in early 1927, the decision was made to include it in the new Al Jolson film, “The Jazz Singer”, which was the very first “talkie” film with synchronized music and dialogue. The Jazz Singer went on to be one of the biggest films of 1928, grossing $2.6 million worldwide.
Jazz bands continued to perform and record the tune throughout the 1930s with recordings by:
Benny Goodman (1935) Bob Pope (1937) Artie Shaw (1937) Earl Hines (1937) Edgar Hayes (1937) Dixieland Swingsters (1937) Mario Lorenzi and his Rhythmics (1937) Maxine Sullivan (1937) Royal Rhythm Boys (1939) John Kirby (1939) Paul Whiteman’s Sax Soctette (1939) Phillipe Brun (1940) Sonny Dunham (1940) Cyril Blake and his Jig’s Club Band (1941) Tommy Dorsey (1941) Jimmy Dorsey (1942) Mel Powell (1942)
After WWII, both Benny Goodman and Count Basie recorded versions of the song which both cracked the top ten list and became popular hits of 1946.
Jazz artists continued to perform the song, with notable versions appearing in the 1950s by Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson.
Surprisingly, the most popular version of “Blue Skies” was not performed by a jazz artist at all – but by country singer Willie Nelson, who recorded it in 1978 on his triple platinum album “Stardust”. His version of “Blue Skies” went to #1 on the Billboard Country singles chart.
Back to 1927, here we have a peppy version of “Blue Skies” by George Olsen and his Music. The finely crafted arrangement clips along at a faster tempo, verging on hot, and features a beautiful vocal harmony by tenor Bob Borger and baritones Bob Rice and Fran Frey.
Recorded in New York, New York on January 19, 1927. Released as Victor 20455 in April of 1927.
Credits: George Olsen – Director Floyd Rice, Bob Borger – trumpet Jack Fulton – trombone Edward Joyce – clarinet, alto sax Fran Frey – clarinet, alto sax Milton Neul – clarinet, tenor sax Larry Murphy – piano Bob Rice – banjo, guitar Jack Hansen – tuba Eddie Kilfeather – arrangement Unknown artist – violin Unknown artist – drums
