Martin Spitznagel plays "Little Rock Getaway" by Joe Sullivan

Here is pianist Martin Spitznagel performing "Little Rock Getaway" by Joe Sullivan. "Little Rock Getaway" was recorded by Joe Sullivan for EMI in 1933 and Decca in 1935. The sheet music was published in 1938.

This tune is a transitional piece in the evolution of Stride to Jazz. The first half of the piece has a ragtime/stride left hand, but as the piece progresses the left hand introduces devilishly difficult jazz figures in counterpoint to the right hand. You'll hear this type of figure used throughout the piece. It was a signature of Joe Sullivan and his contemporary, Bob Zurke.

Recorded live in concert on March 28, 2009, at First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh. For more information on Martin Spitznagel and to purchase recordings, please visit http://www.spitzfire.com.

Special thanks to:
Yuko Eguchi, video
Bryan Wright, audio

Recordings of Martin and others are also available at http://www.rivermontrecords.com.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• ragtime
• stride
• swing
• jazz
• piano
• martin spitznagel
• joe sullivan
• bob zurke

[leantext]

Good job. A slight correction, though: Sullivan recorded it for EMI in 1933 and Decca in 1935. The earlier version was about as close to stride as I've heard from Sullivan.

[spitzfire1138]

@leantext Thanks for the info! I've corrected the description, per your comment.

[ScottBradleeLovesYa]

Awesome playing!!! Who wrote that song, was it Joe Sullivan? It's a nice one

[spitzfire1138]

Joe Sullivan in 1938, and such a great tune! You don't hear it on piano much anymore, but Les Paul made it a favorite of string players.

[Countyp0]

What in the world is wrong with your audience? I'm dancing in my seat as I'm writing this comment! Great stuff!

[MMedialis]

Wow. Wow. You're so amazingly good Martin!! I keep watching this video over and over and over, you're one of my favourite pianists.

I've been working on Little Rock Getaway so much and I'm finally beginning to see the light in the tunnel.

Did you invent the ending yourself? Your recording follows my sheet music quite nicely until the ending (at 1:53) where you put the piano on fire. I'd do anything to see the notes for that killer ending.

Anyways, THANKS for posting this

//A fan from Sweden

[jpachter1]

Fantastic!!



[mackler]

How come everyone is just sitting there?

[RIXstudios]

@spitzfire1138 I learned this to a certain extent after i saw this video. youre awesome!! check out the video response i posted. its a short little arrangement of mine.although im not as good as you, ill get there. im only 14 so ive got time...check it out.

[spitzfire1138]

@TrancerB7 Great! Keep it up, and post when you're done!

[TrancerB7]

@spitzfire1138 lol thats why I chose to learn it, it has easy less stretchy tenths in the left. I have the begining down almost (first page).