Ralph Sutton - "Tain't nobody's Biz-Ness if I do"

... from my absolute favourite record in this genre "Ralph Sutton & Jess Stacy"

Piano: Ralph Sutton
Drums: Cliff Leeman
Recorded on 3. June 1953 in NYC

Liner notes:

"I have heard some guy playing Waller records on the air one day, and i thought: that's the way to play the piano!" That's how Ralph Sutton became one of the most obvious and one of the greatest Waller desciples to play since the death of the master in 1943. At that time he was still in his late 'teens and in the army. Since then Waller has always been his idol., although he has paid equal attention to early ragtime and has lately developed a style that is more obviously his own. He expands on the above statement by replying to a question to what kind of piano playing he prefers: "I like to keep it swinging - not strained - and keep it happy". That just about sums up the music to be heard on this record. This is the music with the obvious Waller influence, certainly swinging and exhibiting a wonderful techinque.

In june 1952, at the invitation of the National Federation of Jazz ORganisations of Great Britan, Ralph came over to this country with Lonnie Johnson to play in a Jazz concert at the RoyalFestival Hall. This was the first time in 14 years that an American jazz musician had played in England with any sort of official sanction. An audience of 4,000 flocked to hear these men, and it was a memorable occasion.

Ralph Sutton was born on November 4th, 1922, in the Missouri village of Hamburg, a hamlet of about 100 people. In his youth he studied classical music (which he still loves to play); he says he learned it while his mother stood over him with a metronome. He often played dance music at night with his father's country band while he was also studying musik at Kirksville State Teacher's College in Missouri. After gaining a local reputation, Ralph was heard by Jack Teagarden and was asked to join the Teagarden band. Two months later he was drafted into the army and it was two years before he returned to civillian life and picked up the musical career where he had left of. Jack Teagarden introduced him to Eddie Condon's Club in Greenwich Village in New York and there Ralph has become a regular feature, playing intermission piano between the jazz band sessions. Since then he has made many recordings and concerts appearances and established himself as one of the greatest white exponents of traditional jazz piano.
The present collection reveals his versatility and particularity emphasises his Waller mood and his wonderful precision. Cliff Leeman at the drums provides just the right kind of accompaniment and the results are, shall we say, swinging - not strained - and happy!

P.S. Sorry for the distortion! The adjustment of the pick up is better on the new uploads! ;-)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Harlem
• stride
• piano
• Lous
• mazetier
• jazz
• willie
• the
• lion
• smith
• carolina
• shout
• bernd
• lhotzky
• james
• p.
• johnson
• dick
• hyman

[petercedar1]

He's my pops!

[iainr222]

Wonderful ! If you wish to hear Fats at his absolute best ( cold sober? ) check out his 1935 transcription solo recordings posted by "gullivior". They are breathtaking in their dexterity ! RUSSIAN FANTASY my favourite.

[TheGroovestock]

Such a steady stride groove!!!

[syncopeter]

I had the original British 10" inch versions of thiese sessions. They are amazing!

[bobeunie]

we like this a lot. thanks for posting

[d60944]

Ahah. A shame this isn't better known. This track has been on my "top 10 stride recordings ever" ever since I first heard it some 20 years ago. Perfact phrasing, great bass lines, amazing diversity of invention in the right hand, superb control of tension build up and release, and a sense of culmination and purpose throughout. It's a wonder.

[39smokinjoe]

I used to hear Ralph at the Barrel on Delmar Ave. in St. Louis in '49 or so. Spent an evening at Condon's in N Y & talked with Ralph, Condon, & Wild Bill 'til 4AM about St. Louis & all the people we knew. What a night for a young guy in the Navy at the time. Saw Ralph in St. Louis many years later, said he wouldn't remember that, but he said he did. He was a nice guy. Tried to see him in Vail back in the seventies but he didn't show up as scheduled. Condon was a great guy too. Also Wild Bill.

[wilscool]

@KawhackitaRag Holy crap you MET him! I'll have to talk to you all about it in Peoria! See You in a month! - Will

[KawhackitaRag]

Fantastic!!! I feel priviledged to have met Mr. Sutton a few times when I was younger. He was a nice guy to people whom he liked and what some people used to call a real "straight shooter".

[dmades]

This is a hard to get record - would love to hear more of the cuts.