The Stampede by Fletcher Henderson and his Orch.

"The Stampede," written and recorded by Fletcher Henderson and his Orchestra in 1926. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better example of Roaring Twenties hot jazz than this superb recording by the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra, regarded at the time as the top hot jazz band in America. Newcomer Rex Stewart takes the opening trumpet break, followed by solos from Coleman Hawkins and Joe Smith. A tight reed ensemble precedes a final hot break by Stewart. The band isn't "swinging" just yet, but there is no denying the abundant energy and flair displayed by the Henderson band on this tune.

The record player is an Orthophonic Victrola model VE4-4X, or "Granada". The "E" in the model number indicates that the Victrola is fitted with a synchronous A/C motor instead of a wind-up motor. The machine has a full "orthophonic" playback system (for electrically-recorded records) including the special orthophonic sound box with a duralumin diaphragm and a folded exponential horn inside of the cabinet. Although the gigantic Credenza Victrola produced deeper bass, the Granada had the most accurate overall frequency response of all the acoustic Orthophonic Victrolas. The serial number indicates that this machine was probably manufactured in 1926.

I shoot my video with a Sony Digital 8 format camera. For audio, I use a Shure SM-57 microphone on a stand placed about 4 feet in front of the Victrola horn. I use "soft tone" needles to keep from overloading the microphone. The mic is plugged directly into the video camera. The videos are edited with Windows Movie Maker. I use Sound Forge 9 to clean up the audio, but don't worry -- you're hearing the record exactly as the Victrola plays it!

For more great music, videos, and trivia from this era, please visit my website, http://www.virtualvictrola.com.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• 1920s
• jazz
• music
• Fletcher
• Henderson
• Rex
• Stewart
• Coleman
• Hawkins

[jibsmokestack1]

@jimihendrix975 If i know who Joe 'Fox' Smith is don't you think I would have listened extensively to Chet, but thanks for the heads - up! Chet sounds like early Miles btw not Bix. You can hear Bix's influence via Lester Young, Miles etc. My original point was that Joe Smith was the closest in style to Bix during Bix's lifetime that's all!

[jimihendrix975]

@jibsmokestack1 you should listen to chet baker

[stlyrface]

One of my all-time favorite sides from the twenties. You can practically see the electric lights of Times Square, the long lines of cars, and the flappers dancing in the speakeasies off Broadway.

[jibsmokestack1]

Also, Joe Smith sounds like Bix here. In fact the closest in style to Bix that I've heard!

[jibsmokestack1]

The great Joe Smith is awesome yet again, as well as Bean and Stewart, on this. Why isn't Joe Smith more well known. Surely one of the all time greats!

[jazzyoz]

"Beans" sounds awesome as usual, but particularly nice hearing his early recorded solos.

[moonoverharlem]

bello bello guardate!!!!!

[Firebrand55]

Great posting. You chose one of the classic tracks of jazz.......Stampede vies with Copenhagen as the two great FH tracks.

Listeners new to these early recording........don't be put off by the poor sound; it's all there was at the time. Try to listen through the mush. What you hear are musicians at their very best.....Henderson only hired the best...and the jazz structure was and is unique.

Incidently it's not Fats Waller on piano...it's Henderson; it was his band so he played piano! Great jazz.

[bigtoneeze]

In case you didn't know....Fats Waller on piano

[SirRiehl]

Tremendously enjoyable!