Monday Side‑Session: Hoppin’ to the River

You may have noticed from the label above that the V‑Disc featuring Duke Ellington’s Main Stem leads off with another Ellington number — Hop, Skip, Jump.

Jumpin' with Johnny

That tune was recorded in November 1943. Let’s spin it:

A nice mid‑tempo feature for Johnny Hodges’ alto sax, the band played it on radio and in live appearances, but never got the chance to record a studio version for Victor because of the recording ban.

Same Tune, New Locality

Things take an interesting turn in 1946, when Duke finally gets the chance to record the tune — but now it has a new name: Rockabye River.

As far as I can tell, this recording was only issued in the U.S. as the lead side in the Victor album Esquire’s All American Hot Jazz Volume 2 in 1947. Let’s spin it:

The tune gets a bit of a makeover, but it still functions as a showcase for Johnny — who gets label credit — while adding some wonderfully brassy growl trumpet from Cat Anderson.

Another Day, Another Arrangement

But wait, there’s more: Duke and the band recorded another version of the tune — still under the Rockabye River title — for the Capitol Transcription service just a couple of days after the 1946 Victor session.

Let’s spin that one:

A shorter arrangement, still centered on Johnny’s alto, with perhaps even more of Cat’s growl trumpet cutting through.

The tune seems to fade into the sunset by 1948 after a handful of additional live performances, but we’re left with these three distinct recordings — each one a slightly different angle on the same Ellington gem.

Warehouse Whispers

I’m presuming Victor didn’t release Rockabye River in 1946 for whatever internal reason, but eventually decided it would be a strong selling point to include a “new” Ellington side in the Esquire set.

It also shows the embarrassment of riches in the Ellington catalog. A recording that would be a highlight for virtually any other band was just another day at the office for Duke!