Jim Hession plays Harlem Strut by James P. Johnson / no. 1

[Aulelia27]

Amazing especially at 2:20-end

Love 2:43

[Bill25cycle]

Hi, thanks Jim for the sheet music of HOK.  Very nice rendition of HS..... Sounds very much like the 1966 rendition done by Claude Balling (sp?). Just wondered if you've ever heard of JPJohnson's Harlem Hotcha?

[jazznbear]

I took this cut off of a James P. piano roll in the mid '60's. I never heard about Claude Bolling's rendition until a month ago when a French pianoplayer clued me in. I guess we both went to the source to learn it in about the same year. That would account fort he similarities.

[jazznbear]

The Harlem Hotcha is the name of a 1932 James P. show (Connie's Inn New Revue). That is the same show that "Aintcha Got Music" came from. The "Harlem Hotcha" is listed as one of the songs from that show. That is all I know about that song. Have you heard a recording of James P. playing that selection?

[Bill25cycle]

There's 2 versions of this: One from the french Pianist. I'll post tomorrow and get the name: This sounds most like it. Then there's the 1922 accoustic version, and a QRS 'mechanical' piano roll version. I have all three. What I'm missing is the sheet music... Anyone want to trade?

[jazznbear]

When I was a teenager I learned this from a QRS piano roll...........I have a second take of this under the title "Harlem Strut No.2". That video was filmed on a recording studio piano without a jammed sus. pedal. I have never seen this piece in sheet music form. I have threatened to write it out some day....when I have a few free days. I'd rather play it than write it out.

[jazznbear]

My second cut of Harlem Strut is available if you do a YouTube search for Jim Hession/Harlem Strut/No.2

[raoulduke160879]

i have a 12 page harlem strut by j.p.johnson in pdf format...i want jelly morton's finger buster and johnson's carolina shout. Any interest?

[wteo340]

When you said french pianist, did you mean Louis Mazetier? =)

[YouKnowIAmRight]

wonderful !!

[bkgangstapianist]

can you fidn music by James P.Johnson in usic books or am I going to have to learn it all by ear?

[CBasie2856]

Which is harder to play? Handful Of Keys, Harlem Strut, or Carolina Shout. I sometimes think Harlem Strut is harder to play than Fats Waller's Handful Of Keys because Fats Waller got all of his neat ideas for Handful Of Keys from James P. Johnson's Harlem Strut.

Then again... Sometimes I think Fats Waller's Handful of keys is harder.

[jazznbear]

I can best answer this by saying that a certain level of profiency is needed to play any of these three pieces. The single-note finger work in Harlem Strut, the driving swing in Handful of Keys, and the off-beat rhythms playing against the groove in Carolina Shout are all essential parts of a good stride piano style. A pianist that can play one of these should be able to play the other two. Remember, as James P. said,"Swing That Music!"

[CBasie2856]

Which piece is the hardest of these three? Handful of Keys, Harlem Strut, or Carolina Shout? I sometimes think Harlem Strut is as hard to play as Fats Waller's Handful Of Keys because Fats Waller got all of the ideas for his song from Harlem Strut. Then again... the show piece Handful of Keys might be harder to play.

[bmxgenie]

another 5 star by this great great man.

[ilpurpuro]

I'm speechless...

[bigstriderman]

Did you intentionally take this tune down a half step? The Brute plays it in D flat major.

[jazznbear]

No, I took it directly off a QRS piano roll when I was 17. I have never heard a James P. cut of him playing this but I would love to.

[moon1003]

I've been wanting to play this song for years! Does anyone know where to get the sheet music?

[jazznbear]

I am not aware of music for Harlem Strut. I took it off an original piano roll.When I was 18 I bought a player piano so I could learn these pieces from rolls.

Perhaps some one has transcribed this by now, but I am not aware of it. Learning these solos from old recordings and rolls certainly enhanced my musicianship. I believe that Dick Hyman recorded this on vinyl in the 70's.

[avilliusflaccus]

I've got a version of it, by using Finale to pull the sheet music out of a midi. It needs some fixing up, as it's a bit messy, but message me, and we can work something out over email.

I wish i could play it like Jim!

[ragtimemarkbirnbaum]

Just Great

Thanks Man!

[maycopar]

Your music sounds noble and funky all at the same time.....like Queen Victoria on hemp...LOL I love it my friend, you make me smile

[pianoyam]

sorry, you didn't modulate at all. that turn to d minor threw me off. incredible job. been listening for about an hour now. it's that good!

[pianoyam]

i don't know what i was thinking. you went to E flat, not A. sorry.

[pianoyam]

damn good job. check out my tatum thing at pianoyam.

[avilliusflaccus]

One of my favourite stride pieces. Well played... Johnson is cool.

[Mexmando]

Wonderful..............!!

[Sixchomp]

Now I wish I hadn't quit piano when I was a kid.

[ryanski77]

Sounds great, just lay off the sustain pedal!

[jazznbear]

Glad you enjoyed it. The sustaining pedal on the club piano was jammed for the better part of a week. My foot was on the floor. The piano technician was reluctant to venture onto Bourbon St. at 2 am. We acoustic pianists have to live with what is provided for us. Hope springs eternal.

[c8udyp]

Superb! Any chance you'll be posting "Carolina Shout" sometime soon?

[jazznbear]

Thanks for your comment. Carolina Shout has just been posted.James P. still rules!

[NManBart]

nicely played, awesome, ill be studying this vid to check my technique, but did you by chance have the pedal on or is that just natural echo in the sound? i think the reverb might be because you have the piano open (I like to do that too :) )

[jazznbear]

Thank you. The piano in the club has some real problems plus a portable cooling unit was on. I learned this from the original James P piano roll. Always go to the source! Good luck. This is a challenging piece.

[sweetestmocha]

closed my eyes and saw Charlie Chaplin. so fun to listen to! i love stuff like this. teach me your ways, master!