Jim Hession updates Thou Swell/Rodgers and Hart

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/jimhession
http://www.hessionsession.webs.com

http://www.artistopia.com/hessionsession
Thou Swell is a very sophisticated tune from 1928's Rodgers and Hart Broadway version of Mark Twain's " A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court", later sung by Bing Crosby in the movie version.
With a smooth melody underpinned by quick harmonic changes, it could be used as a theory/harmony exercise! Over the years it has been a favorite of swing jazz groups and a test to tell the difference between the "Boys and the MEN " when it comes to jazz improvisation.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• hession
• solo
• jazz
• stride
• improvisational
• piano
• Rodgers
• and
• Hart
• Thou
• Swell

[Swingdatmusic]

Oh yeah!

Another absolute superb performance of another great tune. You're killin me Jim!

You got me checking flight schedules to N.O.

"Tanks" for all the good tunes.

[jazznbear]

Thank you for the kind words. I see that Jack Maheu is one of your influences. We worked with Jack from our arrival in New Orleans in 2003-2006.I recorded a quartet CD with Jack that should be released soon. Jack is currently recuperating from a stroke suffered after Katrina. He is a real giant of the clarinet certainly on par with Goodman.

[glengillo]

Oh dear! Find I had clicked twice and was playing two versions slightly overlapped. So sorry for original stupid comment!

[jazznbear]

No problem. I bet that sounded strange! That would be like Charles Ives playing Rodgers and Hart.LOL

[glengillo]

Great playing, but how do you give what is obviously an expensive grand piano such a "honky tonk" sound on this recording?

[jazznbear]

No idea,on our computer it sounds like an expensive grand piano,Yamaha C3, one of the better instruments that you can find in a top recording studio.

[rtifishul]

Outstanding. I like this tune a great deal.

[glengillo]

Sorry. Listening through cheap headphones!

[jazznbear]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed this cut. To be honest this is just an improvisation. I recorded several takes of this tune, all with different feels.

[amazinrick]

I think this is my favorite arrangement of yours yet; very nice!