Jim Hession/ Improv on Flight of Bumble Bee/"Bumble Boogie"

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One of Jim's talents is constantly reinventing piano solos via improvisation.It was done entirely in a tongue in cheek manner. Jim decided to "mess around" with the standard interpretation of Rimsky Korskakov's Flight of the Bumble Bee. He refers to this as the "Fright of the Bumble Bee". Considered by professional musicians to be a "War Horse"(that is: an overplayed "chestnut"). Jim constantly reinvents these solos. "Flight of the Bumble Bee" was immortalized by Jack Fina (piano), Harry James(trumpet), and as a trombone feature with the Spike Jones Band by soloist Phil Gray. This is NOT meant to be the definitive concert version of the familiar classical violin solo. It certainly does fit in well with the craziness of Bourbon St.
This was played during the 2008 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in front of musicians and fans from all countries who make their way to New Orleans in the yearly spring pilgrimage to the birthplace of Jass.
This was filmed on April 25 at Fritzel's European Jazz Club. From 1967-2003 Jim was a featured pianist for the Disney organization at Disneyland, Disney World, The Grand Californian, Coke Corner, New Orleans Square, Main St. USA, to name a few of the locations. This was one of the most requested piano solos by Disney guests.

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[herrwilhelm]

Sounds more like a hornets nest on the attack. Relentless, unending energy. A masterful performance.

[jazznbear]

Thank you, sir. I felt that it was necessary to invoke the "hornet" option, as the crowd at Fritzel's had previously requested "Careless Love" and "Closer Walk" in quick succession. It is all in the programming.....

[tedzdp]

Breathtaking!!! Hession's technical command and imagination makes mortal pianists such as myself wonder why we're wasting our time. Having played that Fritzel's piano, I can attest that it's a piece of junk, which makes this performance particularly amazing!

[jazznbear]

It is indeed heartwarming to receive this message from one who has personally experienced the "Mighty Kawai" at Fritzel's! Could it be that fellow musicians from my distant past are rising up to make themselves known? Long live the Apperson Jackrabbits!

[wallhalla64]

I will get my kidds baseball BAT... and and KILL my grandpiano...

[FlorinCatri]

so you'll have about 50 years of practice...he's crazy...the best...

[achmedliebtachi]

this was filmed on my birthday.. jiiihhaa!!! :D

[leighcort]

Totally staggering! Masterful, exciting, delightfully enchanting performance. WOW - wish I were at Fritzel's this particular night.

[sirgardino]

left hand is imprevvise!

thank you maestro...

[GetYerGrooveOn]

I'll have what he's having........

[shubus]

I'm damn well speechless after this! Gotta be there next year....can't believe I missed this!

[MIXOLYDIAN123]

What I would give to be sitting in a bar having a beer listening and watching you play. Simply phenomenal. I send my pupils to youtube to check you out so they can be inspired by you too. Please keep going for a nother 50 years at least.

[tedzdp]

Yep, an Apperson Jackrabbit emerges from obscurity after all these years. You and I went (along with your father) to see Ron Weatherburn with Kenny Ball's Jazzmen in, what was it, 1965? I still hear his influence on some of your rags and stride pieces, although you've bypassed him by far in technical accomplishment and variety of repertiore. You and I also appeared once with a band (I was then the drummer) back then on "Panorama Pacific", a local TV show in L.A.