We stay with Duke Ellington in the Victor studio on January 21, at the same session that produced Perdido, for another classic: The "C" Jam Blues.
Let’s spin that recording:
What a blast! The deceptively simple framework gives each soloist room to shine — Ray Nance on violin, Rex Stewart on cornet, Ben Webster on tenor sax, Tricky Sam Nanton on trombone, and Barney Bigard on clarinet. It’s one of those sides where the band’s personality comes through in every chorus.
Interestingly, the tune had already been recorded the previous September as “C” Blues, by a small unit under Barney Bigard’s name.
Let’s spin that Bluebird side:
Same melody, obviously, but a different feel. This lineup — Barney on clarinet, Juan Tizol on valve trombone, Harry Carney on baritone sax, and Ray Nance this time on trumpet — is the only horn section, with Duke on piano, Sonny Greer on drums, and Jimmy Blanton on bass.
Hearing Blanton on this side reminds you just how much was lost when he left the band between this and the Victor recording, and, soon after, passed away. His presence changes the whole texture.
Things take another interesting turn with the Soundie titled Jam Session, in which Duke and the guys play what we now know as The C Jam Blues. The twist? It was filmed in late December 1941 — a few weeks before the Victor session.
Let’s watch:
I love that we have this visual record of Duke and the soloists doing their thing. Watching Tricky Sam work that plunger mute is a treat, and Sonny Greer gets a drum solo that doesn’t appear on the record — he looks like he’s having the time of his life.
A fun little journey to a classic record!
Warehouse Whispers
Just between us, as much fun as the jam session seemed to be, I absolutely don’t blame Duke for slipping away to join those three lovely distractions!
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