Jim Hession /Eubie Blake/ Baltimore Todolo

http://www.hessionsession.webs.com

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/jimhession


East coast ragtime was a musical entity unto itself. According to his original manuscript, Eubie wrote this in 1908/1909. Blake was very particular about the use of off-beat syncopations and heavily accented rhythms in the performance of his music. The Baltimore Todolo was another piece that Jim learned directly from Eubie, who continued to be a major force, consummate performer and insistent instructor as he neared the century mark.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• eubie
• blake
• eastcoast
• ragtime
• stride
• hession
• Harlem
• Baltimore
• Todolo
• piano
• jazz

[abdef]

You should listen to a version played by the late great Jack McGann. There is a video called "In memory of Jack McGann". On it he palys this along with Simon Smith at the end of a tribute video. Fantastic. he taught it to me when he was alive. Great man!!

[jazznbear]

@abdef Thanks for sharing the story of Jack McGann. Enjoyed hearing the Todolo on guitar as well as the Randy Newman Muppet tune!

[bealegirl2]

Ohhh wow. Beautiful. I am sitting here listening to piece after piece, and I am completely carried away. Thank you.

[jazznbear]

Thank you for listening!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bugsycline]

it's strange how you manage to capture more than the correct notes but also some of the perfectly timed inconsistancies!

Straight from the horse's mouth!

I bet EB was a fantastic teacher!

100 years from now some one you passed the tourch to will pass it on down. keep it up!

thank you.

[jazznbear]

One of the important lessons I learned from Eubie and other jazz figures I was fortunate enough to know is: when you are performing an historic piano solo,learn and understand the elements of the style and use those in the improvised passages. You then are creating a fresh approach to an established composition.

[Squarerig]

It is four hands playing-Again!-those are not reflections in the piano.Delightful music.Thank you Mr.Hession.

[jazznbear]

@silvermediastudio Eubie's brand of syncopation was unique among his peers. He combined the heavy gospel rhythms of revivalist churches with ragtime and march rhythms to create a stylistic element that could only be described as "off beat to the max". Daring and distinctive, Eubie's rhythms laid the foundation for future jazz innovaters such as JPJ, the Lion, Fatha Hines and even Monk and Errol Garner...............

[1rallod]

Well folks if you can't be happy with this playing,then you must

be sleeping cause I'm doing the soft shoe shuffle over here!