Jim Hession / Master of Stride/ The Charleston /James P. Johnson /

[Maxincredible52]

wow ... so nice ..

[AsMat1983]

Brilliant!!!!!!!!

[pixies92]

actually incredible



[miracoulus]

Hey, I saw in the statistics that this video was most popular with male from 35 to 65... Well, I'm a woman, I'm 18 and I love this incredibly song and this gripping version!

[miracoulus]

Hey, I saw in the statistics that this video was most popular with male from 35 to 65... Well, I'm a woman, I'm 18 and I love this incredibly song and this gripping version!

[mphillipsable]

Absolutely brilliant performance! I'll be playing in an audition in about a year from now, and I'd like to use the Charleston as my jazz piece and I find your interpretation to be wonderful. So is there any way I could find the sheet music for your version?

[jazznbear]

@mphillipsable Thank you for listening. This is an improvisation. If time permits, it could be transcribed. I have started on a collection of the most requested "arrangements" to publish in a book form. Keep thinking positive, maybe I will get this done.

[noirhead]

Somewhere Paul Tanner is smiling!!!

[kmish213]

I keep watching your videos to remind myself how far one can go on the piano. You are quite inspiring.

This is coming from a 20 year old who recently abandoned garbage mainstream music for real music. Now I am all for ragtime, jazz, and classical piano

[jazznbear]

@kmish213

It is very gratifying to know that my music has opened some doors for you. You will find that the music you're involved in now presents limitless challenges and opportunities for growth. I never stop listening to music from many sources, learning and incorporating what I learn into my own interpretations. Keep me posted on your progress.

[Turbowagon245]

Where can one find the sheet music of this awesome version??

:-)

[qwikfeet]

I LOVE IT!!

[fudmuffin92]

sooooo inspiring!

[petrie1230]

i've listened to you play this song now a million and a half times and i'm still not tired of it

[jazznbear]

@petrie1230 Thank you!

[captainsunder009]

You are awesome.

[magyarmatyi]

i must learn it

[CryLattice]

I am taking a Jazz Appreciation course, and this really helped me to understand the piano form of The Stride genre. Thanks. You're an awesome player.

[themanolo9999]

I Hope QRS Music "tecnologies" record por piano rolls your interpretation...(I play the piano too, I collect piano rolls...I love the music of the 20's.)..your interpretation is magnificent, I like the way you play with BOTH hands...you know that for this kind of music is very imporant the left hand too. one favor...try to record a video of this song but in a upright old piano...you know what I mean...

From Mexico: CONGRATULATIONS you are ONE OF A KIND!!!

[caagal]

You are definitely the most inspiring pianist I have ever listened to. The energy you put out through the music is amazing, yet you know when to hold back the pace to let the soul of the music come through as you show with Baltimore Todolo. You make me want to go and practice. Thanks.

[jazznbear]

@caagal

Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful comments.

Practice is a good thing...................keep it up!

[lavernaenow]

wow. that. was. AWESOME!!!!!!!

8 years of piano training and trust me im nowhere NEAR as good as this. WOW! plz teach me! omg! sorry im hyper that was SO GOOD! and after i learn how to play this my next challenge will be DANCING to it.

[lavernaenow]

wow. that. was. AWESOME!!!!!!!

8 years of piano training and trust me im nowhere NEAR as good as this. WOW! plz teach me! omg! sorry im hyper that was SO GOOD! and after i learn how to play this my next challenge will be DANCING to it.

[lavernaenow]

wow. that. was. AWESOME!!!!!!!

8 years of piano training and trust me im nowhere NEAR as good as this. WOW! plz teach me! omg! sorry im hyper that was SO GOOD! and after i learn how to play this my next challenge will be DANCING to it.

[lavernaenow]

wow. that. was. AWESOME!!!!!!!

8 years of piano training and trust me im nowhere NEAR as good as this. WOWIEEEE! plz teach me! omg! sorry im hyper that was SO GOOD! and after i learn how to play this my next challenge will be DANCING to it.

[lavernaenow]

wow. that. was. AWESOME!!!!!!!

8 years of piano training and trust me im nowhere NEAR as good as this. WOWIEEEE! plz teach me! omg! sorry im hyper that was SO GOOD! and after i learn how to play this my next challenge will be DANCING to it.

[idamay1]

Great piano!! Love it!!

[fudmuffin92]

this is magic and puts a huge genuine smile on my face :D

[DDBB2012]

This could possibly wake up Ann Pennington!!!

[iwema93]

wow, great job, man!!

[ffranck9876]

Terrific version. Don't remember hearing you ever play this before. Greetings from Maryland.  Fred and Tracy

[jazznbear]

Hi Guys,

We've tried to get in touch with you...glad you found us....We need an address: still have the two Tom Lehrer books for you!!!!!

[petrie1230]

soon as i can im getting out of california :P and thets definately a region of the states i very much love. ha good food indeed

[petrie1230]

hopefully good sir i will come and watch you perform in the great state of mississippi some day. haha and ill stick out proudly

[jazznbear]

The Gulf Coast from New Orleans to Mobile is a melting pot of cultures....good food, good music and good prices............

we can often be found in N.O.also.

[zappatx]

Well Im inspired to sat the least.. Havent touched the piano since started taking lessons but now in South Dakota I dont think there is much instruction.. I have my work cut out!

[petrie1230]

definitely the best cover of "The Charleston" I've ever heard, i've seen all your videos Mister Hession!

[jazznbear]

Thanks for watching!

[petrie1230]

oh wow blew my mind. Play at any shows/bars?

[jazznbear]

Check our websites for upcoming shows festivals,concerts and club engagements.

[Uracik]

Hey, I really love it, bravo take a look at my piano video and let me know what do you think.

[MrTechnicsstar]

It`s one of my favorite songs! Very nice played! GREAT!

[scarlett24ca]

Shit thats good.

[krostyman666]

man you play like gods, i wish have you playing in a bar , an the hores, wiskey an poker

[criss1956]

I wish that I could see what your left hand is doing. I'm stuck in this same ole (sloppy in my case) stride style and always have to watch my left hand.

[ourvinylcollection]

what a hairy jazzy man !! :-)

[martinezaopa]

on CD? i want this!

[jazznbear]

You can order this CD at the website listed under info.

Thanks for asking!

[sheffmb]

All I got to say is damn. Awesome version of The Charleston. You just blew my mind with that piano.

[HarborBeachElf]

Love it!!! Thisis Great!!

[TokyoFreeze79]

You fucking rock

[jameswsparker]

Very, very good indeed; this gentleman should consider a talent show.

[monkeybizwak]

This just made my day

[monkeybizwak]

Brilliant!!

[abstrusMarilyn]

best charleston version i've ever heard

[8BoogiePianoWoogie8]

The best version ever!!!!!!

[fanablaspliff]

best charlston ive ever heard

[yeahsee33]

Good job there.

[Orpheusftw]

Very nice. 'pleasure to listen to. I usually only play classical, but you make this kinda stuff look fun.

[achoosneeze123]

You are a fantastic pianist!

[wickedgypsy88]

Very Nice and this is the kind of music they should have in clubs!!! Seems like not many people my age have ever heard this song. Its sad all the good music too. WONDERFUL playing!!

[torreylv2]

OH MY GOD !! Do you have a recording of you playing this ... I am directing a show and would like to use this in the show ... please hit me back

[JWallWill]

You rock Jim. Thankyou for posting.I heard, also on utube, a Swedish guy playing a brilliant boogie woogie. Do you do boogie as well?

[jazznbear]

Yes, indeed. You can find at least 6 or more boogies of mine of youtube.

Thank you for listening.

[Kakarot21591]

John Blohm, right? That was an awesome performance.

[AndreaCaio]

SUPER...!!! ...EXCELLENT...!!!

[themusicman357]

Wow Mr. Hession, that was amazing, truely was. I have been playing the piano for about 8 years, more on the jazz side. There is a school project comin' up in my history class about the Roaring 20's, and I wanted to learn how to play The Charleston. This is by far the best representation I've heard on youtube. Do you think you could send me sheet music for this song? If you did, I would be forever greatful.

Your admirer,

-Evan

[joshio2000]

very good job i have heard 2 of The charleston tunes now on youtube yours and the green hill instrumental. you 1 is very good but as a chritical constructive maybe you could speed spme of it up and use more dinamics.

[joshio2000]

Well done i love your piano playing maybe you should have a competition with other pianist nnot that i don't know iff you do or not bu that would be great

[CushingsKills]

CANT THANK U ENOUGH for the song and the history, thank u thank u!!

[soogoonu]

perfect performance from a master of the stride piano

tankyou for share it!

[Sarkkofag]

Wow, you're great and really talented! Keep up the awesome work!

[igordaum]

Wow !

i'm Jealous hahahahaha

ur great!!!!

greetings from Brazil \o/

[brexa1543]

HOLY SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII­IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTT! YOU ARE FUCKING AMAZING! WOW!! Keep it up

[JamesPriceJohnson]

wow, this is a strange arrangement. great job! onloy thing is that piano. it sounds too new.

[jazznbear]

Glad you liked it. Please remember that when JPJ, Fats, and Eubie were playing this tune in the 1920's they mostly played on new pianos. New or old, a good piano stands on its own.

Eubie had a Steinway that he loved. When he stayed with us he played our Bechstein or our Gulbransen upright. In concert with Eubie we played new Steinways or even an 11' Baldwin and on occasion a Bosendoerfer concert grand.

[Akinon33]

Hello, Jim. (I hope you don't mind that informal approach)

Apart from your obviously stunning, pianistic, abilities, I just love the sound of that piano. It sounds as crisp as a freshly picked salad!

Thank you for giving us the chance to see and hear you play.......................it'­s brilliant! Len. UK

[78chuck]

Well I'm thinkin he wore out the old piano

[pianomike1]

Awesome. Thanks.

[soogoonu]

wohooo! fabulous play - a truly respectful tribute for one of the fathers of modern music

[jayeslove]

Oh my goodness! It's sooo good!! Im doing a report on James P Johnson for school and you have truly inspired me. :)

[davidlanao]

that was incredible, you played so good, i love that song

[liamblackere]

can i get a mp3?

[Morahman7vnNo2]

I can't help but think of Eubie's "Charleston Rag" When I hear that left hand walking the Octaves. Fitting.

[theorganloft]

Oh Yes! Eubie! My mom talks about him and Errol Garner too. She also said that there was a Savoy Sultan. What is most interesting about my Mom is that her aunt owned the Brothel/SpeakEasy that Fats Waller played at in Harlem. She used to see Fats playing when she was a little girl at 10 to 12 years old for house rent parties. She delivered bath tub gin because children could not be arrested. Thanks for your reply.

[jazznbear]

I hope that you are writing down all of these anecdotes! They certainly give an added perspective to the legendary days of the Harlem Renaissance!!! Keep in touch I would love to hear more of your memories!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dorite442]

panama francis was the savoy sultan....

[theorganloft]

Masterful! I lived around the corner from JP Johnson's house in New York City. I remember the day that they removed the grand piano from the house after it was sold by his Granddaughter. I got to go inside many times as well as Count Basie's house and James Brown. We lived in Queens, New York City.

[jazznbear]

What an incredible experience for you to have visited the homes of those three giants of music! My mentor was Eubie Blake in whose home we visited many times while recording with Eubie. I'm sure that you are aware of the close relationship that Eubie had with both James P and Basie. The musical legacy left by the great jazz pianists and musicians of the early years is something that we both try to bring to public awareness through our concerts and recordings. Thank you for listening!

[theorganloft]

I lived around the corner from JP johnson and played with his great grand children. This was great to hear and a great tribute to the master. I remeber the day that they removed the grand piano from the house when his grandaughter sold the house. There was also an pipe organ in there but it had

[CapitalistPolitician]

THAT WAS UTTERLY UNBELIEVABLE!! NO WONDER YOU ARE BLUSHING!!!!!!! That was complete and utter GENIUS! BLOODY GOOD SHOW... marvellous... spectacular... BRILLIANT, THAT WAS UTTERLY MESMORISING.

[CapitalistPolitician]

THAT WAS COMPLETELY UNBELIEVABLE...NO WONDER YOU WERE BLUSHING!!!! GOD... that was spectacular... BLOODY GOOD SHOW!!! I will not ask how long that took to learn and perfect so BRILLIANTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!

[tenemossquimica1]

Espectacular Maestro

[lazaryjczyk]

My Favourite Charleston:)

[earlhines1]

Hey Jim, take one of those spaceships and travel back in time to those Harlem's rent parties to battle with the ivories and your namesake James P. Johnson, Fats, "The Lion", The Duke, The Earl, The Count, Art....

[deanpedlar]

jim hession!!!!!! you are at the top of my list of stride pianists.... you are great and I listen to your utube performances every day. Fantastic!!! is the WORD

[ciarul]

perfect! tell me ...is there any one of that songs for guitar?... you are a great piano player...one of the best i have seen ! congratulations...

[raamulin]

WOW!!!

awesome!!!!

[HEADBANGING69]

mY NEW gOD.

[Hgclaw]

my goodness, that was absolutely fantastic! bravo!

[AuroraABC]

WOW

[BRazor78]

amazing... I want to learn the piece and the dance, as cheezy as it was.

[Eldarkou]

I wish to play that one day xD I'm still novice now but I'll wait the time it takes

[spurtler]

Thanks. you're my idle too.

[connorpiano93]

you're my idol

[pianolasociety]

Great!

[emdawgy]

yes! well done

[blurgrey]

Amazing

[bohemiatotal]

Is there any sheet music for this that you took as a base to improvise? Thanks. I'm willing to practice this myself.

[jazznbear]

Send me an email address through YouTube and I will send you a scan.

[bibulous]

When you stride does your left hand play octaves or tenths for the bass? I've found I can't stretch tenths easily in some keys so i'm trying to figure out if I should try and stretch the tenths or stick to octaves.

[jazznbear]

Tenths, octaves, low single notes, interrupted bass lines: whatever comes to mind or seems right for the piece at the moment...

For the tenths you can't stretch, try breaking them or invert them to 6ths with the 3rd or 5th in the bass. Each type of stride left hand pattern has its own personality; choose what works for you.

[CBasie2856]

I'm trying to find a good recording, mp3 or midi, or video of the original Charleston by Johnson to transcribe some of it, but I don't seem to find any good ones online. The recordings Johnson made are of poor sound quality.

[lazaryjczyk]

where can i get sheet for that song?

[royhaworth]

Wowee!!!

[EMMDS]

I have a question where did you find this sheet music..I would love to play this and learn it.

[Zefrenm]

cAN'T wait to dance to the that version thanks for the most fasinating post - Zefren Advocate fo the Melbourne Shuffle

[aleecat0123]

wow u r great

[VaudevilleJoe1925]

Phenomenal version of the Charleston!!! Would love to have a CD recording of that!!!

[CBasie2856]

I thought Eubie Blake composed "The Charleston". Now I'm hearing that James P Johnson composed it. Now I'm confused. Who actually composed it?

[jazznbear]

Eubie Blake composed "Charleston Rag" in 1899. It is a progressive rag that laid musical foundations for stride piano and early jazz. One of Eubie's piano students was James P. Johnson, the "Father of Stride Piano". In 1923 James P. composed the song, "The Charleston", which became the dance craze of the jazz age. Marked by bobbed hair, short dresses,wild music and wilder dances, the Flapper Age was immortalized by novelist F.Scott Fitzgerald.

[jsteeber]

And Willie 'The Lion' Smith got caught somewhere in the middle! Very spirited. I only wish James P. had played this before a microphone. Didn't know James P. of NJ was a student of Eubie B. of MD.

[jazznbear]

Eubie was born in Baltimore and moved to New York City in around 1900. Johnson would hang around the clubs "as a kid in short pants" as Eubie would say.JPJ was very bright and gifted and learned a great deal from Eubie in the early years as he was growing up in Queens. Eubie has much more to do with the development of eastcoast jazz than he is given credit for.......Stride wouldn't be the stride we know without Eubie's input.

[jsteeber]

Fascinating. As big a fan as I am of Eubie Blake, I never knew of the direct connection to that part of Johnson's career. "Jimmy Johnson is my envy for life..." I do have that sound clip. Both of 'em were quite literally unbelievable.

[jazznbear]

Eubie Blake was the transition to jazz from ragtime. As one of his "boys" it was my pleasure to work with him in concerts and recordings for 15 years. I am beginning to put some of the things I learned from him on YouTube. You can occasionally find my first album, "Eubie Blake Introducing Jim Hession" EBM6 floating out there on Ebay.He was a true inspiration and remains so today; a true American genius.

[jsteeber]

No doubt! That's fabulous. I will look for that one, plus the EBM Lp which features his solo of "Sweet Lady" - done sometime in '22 or so. Heard that over WOR one night, over a late night AM skip.

[jazznbear]

"Sweet Lady" was covered on a recording by Robert Black (Eubie Blake) and Irving Kaufman in Sept. of 1921. The tune was written for the musical, "Tangerine" by Frank Crumit. Neither Eubie nor Kaufman were in the cast of this show.

[losamfr17]

My only remark is that you play the piece a little too fast. The song would feel more joyful and serene if you took more time.

[jazznbear]

Serene? The Charleston? HMMM.... I took this Johnson pop tune from 1923 and created a stride piano solo(stride being the style attributed to James P. Johnson, the composer of "The Charleston")using improvised choruses.

Thanks for listening.

[VaudevilleJoe1925]

I hear plenty of the "serene" versions of the Charleston. I prefer to dance to the fast versions rather than the pokey serene versions. Some vintage dance recordings have it played rather fast. And much to my dismay I've heard some draggy slow vintage versions too. The former sounds better than the latter.

[jazznbear]

One of the best original cuts of the Charleston was recorded in 1923 by Tommy Ladnier and his band with unknown female vocalist. That was only one of dozens of recordings of the "HOT" new dance, "The Charleston". My wife's mother was a "Flapper" who could dance the original dance until her '80s; according to her the dance was fast and furious. What a character she was!

[bondurango]

This is more in the Ragtime style from which it developed. It has a swing quality almost to the point of jitterbug.

[JBtheMountie]

Masterful

[Shangas]

Damn it, I wish I could play it that good. I love the Charleston...My recording sucks.

[ilpurpuro]

no words..exept this one...awesome!!

[bugsycline]

Jazznbear has taught this old dog some new tricks to spread......

[ragtimefan1]

As Eubie used to say of Jim, "Jim's playing give me fits!" Jim is just the best.

[towely1001]

just..GREEEEEAT!!!

[bluekeytony]

Another awesome performance Jim, keep em coming!!

[Shackamaxon]

I've been searching for a vid of this tune for a long time now. Excellent rendition of James P Johnson. Is this mostly improv?

[jazznbear]

In both the sustained verse and 1st chorus I play the melody as written, with my own harmonic/rhythmic structure. In the following choruses I improvise over the original harmonies, all the while attempting to stay in the James P. Johnson style. You will probably hear the influence of other stride pioneers,ie Eubie Blake, the Lion, Luckey Roberts etc. Both Luckey and JPJohnson as well as myself (60 years later) were students of Eubie Blake.

[Shackamaxon]

Never the less, it is a wonderful performance. It seems so effortless. Thx for posting this.

Thats interesting. I never knew JP Johnson was a student of Eubie Blake.

And you studied under Eubie Blake? Wow! My mom would always grab me whenever he was on TV.

[jazznbear]

Eubie Blake is well known for his many varied musical accomplishments but remains an unsung hero in the jazz world. He both taught and influenced many generations of pianists who would make their mark in the jazz world.Notably,James P. Johnson,Luckey Roberts,Fats Waller,Earl Hines even Duke Ellington. It was my privilege to be in the last generation (1970's-80's) that studied and performed with Eubie. Your mom is a wise lady! Eubie was an American genius!

[susuemikado]

I love this!