Darktown Strutters Ball - Original Dixieland Jazz Band

[mashtones]

Watch Leon Redbone-chat and song video a bit after 3 min he talks about Nick LaRocca (leader of the O.D.J.B) who claimed to have invented jazz ,although that is disagreed with by many, Redbone seems to agree.

[nosferatuist]

I LOVE THAT!!!! 8-D

[tubemagpie]

A pity that some of the earliest jass musicians were never recorded. The classic example is, of course, Buddy Bolden but there must have been others before him

Brooks died in 1976 BTW.... quite a long life.

[dpoland]

Grandfather in WWI played this song on fiddle and clarinet in the US Army in France. Then again for years back home in dance bands. Love the melody...timeless

[kingoma61]

This recording by the ODJB was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, one of the earliest jazz recordings. "Tiger Rag" should also be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. That is arguably the most covered and recorded jazz song of all time. Why isn't it in the Grammy Hall of Fame?

[mojoman4147]

@kingoma61 not a clue! I dont know how these thingd are decided, perhaps it's something to look in to for a nomination? :D

[kingoma61]

J. Russel Robinson was a member of the ODJB. Robinson replaced Henry Ragas, who died in 1919. Robinson was the pianist in the band. He was also a noted composer. "Margie" is one of his most successful compositions. He also wrote "Reefer Man" for Cab Calloway.

[vivianavickie]

When you hear this, one has to be grateful for today's jazz!! But thanks for sharing.

[mojoman4147]

@vivianavickie they were really the novelty band - when you play instruments like that there is only so much shock value you can get from it!

When they returned from a tour in 1922, the public had lost interest in them and the group ultimately disbanded, but at least they set the rest of the jazz age in motion!

[MissGoldenDreams13]

For me, this is one of those songs you never want to end, it's that good!

[Squarerig]

What a wonderful sound,so redolent of that time.Thank you for providing us with so much pleasure.

[MissGoldenDreams13]

@mojoman4147: Thank you. I'll look up more of their recordings.

[kingoma61]

In 2006, the ODJB recording of "Darktown Strutters' Ball" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, one of the earliest jazz recordings so honored. The ODJB 1920 composition "Singin' the Blues" has also been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in a 1927 recording by Frankie Trumbauer, Bix Beiderbecke, and Eddie Lang on Okeh.

[lesterwyoung]

@kingoma61 "Singin' the Blues" was composed by Con Conrad, J Russell Robinson, Joe Young and Sam Lewis, none of whom was, to the best of my knowledge, a member of the ODJB.

[MissGoldenDreams13]

This is the first time I've ever heard "Darktown Strutters Ball", and I have to say it's an awesome song! But I'd like to ask: what was the name of the band that performed it?

[mojoman4147]

@MissGoldenDreams13 It's the Original Dixieland Jazz Band. They were prolific from 1917 to 1922ish :)

[TheMichaelseymour]

@MissGoldenDreams13 try the australian groups massive {in australia} hit single version from 1976 TED MULRY GANG ....hard rocking version

[mortygwhiz]

When I was little my mother used to sing this song while she did her housework. I always liked this song. Brings back fond memories.

[imnsaneru2]

am looking for ella fitzgeralds version???,but this is good,luv it

[LJOUWERD]

Raw and raunchy!!!! Love it.

[Gaul1748]

I'm going to dance out both my shores when I hear those jelly roll blues! Use to sing this one in high school chorus!

[nosferatuist]

THIS IS THE SOUNDTRACK OF MY LIFE ^^

[JubalCalif]

I've always loved this song...and this Dixieland arrangement is DYNAMITE! THANKS so very much for sharing this delightful "blast from the past" with us! You've made my day & my weekend! :)

[mojoman4147]

@JubalCalif Not at all. I'm glad you enjoyed this song!

[FoothillsofWyoming]

thanks for sharing.

[mojoman4147]

Not a problem :)

[FoothillsofWyoming]

Hi, Thanks for sharing.

[mbabist01]

I have always loved this tune, but love it even more when Der Bingle sings it!

[alexanderetter]

it is great that the bands around that time playes all verses and not only choruses... so i learned the vers from "darktown strutters ball" from this disc:-)

[turnkeyservicepro]

what disc would that be? i'm very interested in finding more from this group. do you know where i could purchase more of their work/recordings?

[davidgray2]

I find it a bit too "busy" if I tell the truth...the tune is just slightly too obscured by backing and countermelody for my liking. Maybe it's just me.

[mojoman4147]

I think this might be to do with how the track has been restored, but also to stop the crackly white noise. It is nearly 90 years old though :)

[cylaisawesome]

Dixieland jazz is known for having counter melodies. I found it frustrating at first, but then I loved how each time I listened to the song I could hear something new. Dixieland songs never get old because of this quality.

[mojoman4147]

I agree there. Each time you listen to them you can pick out a different solo/instrument and it brings something different to each listen :)

[heather4him]

@cylaisawesome This is so true! People are like, Uh, Dixieland jazz, really? But they don't realize how refined it really is.

[MustaffaCuppa]

@cylaisawesome These "counter melodies" are IMPROVISATION & there are countless options. Once the tune has been established, they start to play "around" it & as long as it all fits the chords at each particular point, it" goes". I personally have only recently been able to do it & am very impressed with those who do it so well they make it look easy.

[cylaisawesome]

@MustaffaCuppa It is an improvised counter melody - a counter melody by any other name is still a counter melody.

[LesSwattum]

thank you!!!! this is the first time I have heard this. I'd rate it as one of their very best.. every one is in great sync

[mojoman4147]

Thanks! It is rather catchy :)