"Battle of the Bands" - Part 1 (The 40th Bix-fest, Davenport 2011)

The Recreation of the Goldkette-Henderson "Batttle of the Bands."

A historic event took place in New York City on October 13, 1926. As advertised in the October 12, 1926 issue of the New York Daily News, The Greatest Musical Novelty-Sensation -- "The Battle of the Century" took place in the Roseland Ballroom between Your Favorite Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra and the Sensation of Sensations Jean Goldkette and His Famous "Fourteen." The two bands shared the stage with Goldkette's band on the left and Henderson's band on the right. Professional musicians attended this historic event and members of the dueling bands commented on the battle.

The Henderson-Goldkette "Battle of the Bands" was recreated in the Gold Room of the Blackhawk Hotel, Davenport, Iowa, on Aug 6, 2011, the 80th anniversary of Bix's death, on the occasion of the 40th Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival. The recreation of the battle turned out to be, itself, a second historic event.

The role of the Fletcher Henderson orchestra was taken by Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks; the role of the Jean Goldkette Orchestra was played by Josh Duffee and His Orchestra. The two bands shared the stage with the Nighthawks on the left and Josh's band on the right.

Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks
Andy Stein - violin, baritone sax
Michael Ponella - trumpet
Jon-Erik Kellso -- trumpet
Harvey Tibbs - trombone
Mark Lopeman - alto sax, clarinet, soprano sax
Andy Farber - tenor sax, clarinet, soprano sax
Dan Levinson- alto sax, clarinet, soprano sax
Peter Yarin - piano
Ken Salvo - banjo, guitar
Arnie Kinsella - drums
Vince Giordano - leader, string bass, bass sax, tuba

Josh Duffee and His Orchestra
Scott Angelici - alto sax, clarinet
Julie Craighead - alto sax, baritone sax, clarinet
Matt Siversten - alto sax, tenor sax
Travis Lopez - trumpet
Alan Knapper - trumpet
Bruce Bogen - trombone
Chuck Comella - trombone
Kevin Carton - piano
Jamey Cummins - banjo, guitar
David Abdo - string bass
Kristian Svennevig - violin
Josh Duffee - leader, drums, vibes

The two bands took turns at playing their numbers. The concert ended with all musicians in both bands playing Bix Beiderbecke's immortal composition, Davenport Blues.

I am pleased to present here the complete Aug 6, 2011 concert in eleven parts.

Flemming Thorbye
http://www.thorbye.net

Category:

Music

Tags:

• bix
• beiderbecke
• davenport
• jazz
• vince
• giordano
• nighthawks
• josh
• duffee
• gene
• goldkette
• fletcher
• henderson
• roseland

[bixchick007]

Yes, Thanks Flemming! Great quality video and sound. We were off in the wings so couldn't actually see much. We were freaking out and dancing too hard.

Ps. Go Jon-Erik!

[bixchick007]

Yes, Thanks Flemming! Great quality video and sound. We were off in the wings so couldn't actually see much. We were freaking out and dancing too hard. 

[clefpalette1]

This is incredible. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for capturing this on film!