Jim Hession /Black Beauty by Duke Ellington (1928)

http://www.artistopia.com/hessionsession
Duke Ellington wrote the beautiful "Black Beauty" in memory of the passing of Miss Florence Mills, the "Harlem Jazz Queen".She died in 1927 at the age of 32.
Jim's rendition of this early Ellington classic is a reprise of the Duke's 1928 solo 78rpm recording. Unlike the original sheet music, Ellington's piano solo is expansive and improvisational.Jim learned this when he was a teenager. A jazz record collector in LA made him a reel to reel tape of early jazz 78's. It is from this recording that Jim crafted this early stride solo.In 1973 he recorded this for Eubie Blake's own label,EBM6. When the Maple Leaf Ragtime Club was formed in Los Angeles in 1967, the first meeting was held at the "Hock Shop", a Hollywood nightspot on Sunset Blvd. This venue was owned by Spencer Quinn. Spencer had a unique single string tenor banjo style. At the first meeting of the MLC most of the players played classic ragtime while Jim contributed Black Beauty,the Fingerwrecker (Morton) and Brubeck's "It's a Raggy Waltz" along with some rags.This video was recorded on Dec. 11,2007 at the Word of Mouth Recording Studio in Algiers(New Orleans).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Jazz
• piano
• solo
• stride
• EBM6
• Duke
• Ellington
• Jim
• Hession
• Black
• Beauty

[jkfan2005]

I would have said Tommy Bond was the one who "gained fame" as Butch... did Spencer Quinn play the part later? There's not much about Quinn online... born 1930, died 1987, apparently. I've spoken to his widow at some music shows in L.A., but I know so little that I'm sure I would ask really dumb questions.

[jazznbear]

@jkfan2005

You are right Tommy Bond did play Butch. Spencer was in some movies but I stand corrected about his child role as Butch.

[johnnycchops]

I know you were sincere in doing this, but your interpretation is pretty well off the mark. Is this a redo of the 1928 recording? Whether or not it is, what you've done here is not really in any way close to how Ellington ever played or arranged this piece - you must know that, don't you? From the beginning, you're just playing incorrect chords, and pretty much missing the musical essence of the song. Sorry to scold. I'm just being straight up.

[jazznbear]

I know that you were sincere in writing this, but my interpretation is just that- an interpretation. I suggest that you check out the recording that I learned this from as a teenager. It is posted on YouTube by MickeyClark69. Ellington's published score is considerably different from his recorded solo or my current rendition. Many people think that a note by note replication is the only way to play a classic piano solo-professional jazz players often feel differently.

[ShallbetterPiano]

all of your videos have amazed me to the point of tears. as the piano player of my high school's jazz band, i sit humbled and inspired. that's just incredible!!

(what kind of a piano are you playing on, by the way?)

[jazznbear]

Glad you enjoyed the videos. The studio piano is a YamahaC3,Fritzel's Jazz Club has a Kawai Studio upright, our piano at home is a Bechstein(1898) 6'grand.

I too started my career as a high school piano player for the GleeClub, and in college was the pianist for the UCSB jazz band. I haunted every talent show from the age of 15-17 in Pasadena and LA area. I won a few but usually lost out to slick male singers and grinning accordian players. Good luck with your piano work!

[DailyMouth]

@jkfan2005

Spencer Quinn co-starred in 'Dad Can I Borrow the Car?" around 1970. He wrote and played a car salesman named Speed Feldon. VERY funny.

[naizret]

I thought this was a first-class version of of the piece, which I've been listening to for decades and heard DE play in person in 1966. It's open to several interpretations, and this one has a distinct 1920s flavor. (The only discordant note for me was the rather tinny piano, but that's another matter.) Very impressive!

[DailyMouth]

FYI, Spencer Quinn, who was a dear friend, did not play Butch in the Our Gang series. Butch was played by the late (and very nice) Tommy Bond. Bond wrote a book about his experiences called 'Darn Right It's Butch!'

[jazznbear]

Check out the composer, Duke Ellington's, original recording- on YouTube, it is posted by "Mickey Clark69". Ellington named this piece "Black Beauty" in memory of the singer Florence Mills who died too young. Ellington plays this piece faster and brighter and his orchestra plays it even faster. He wrote it, named it and must have had some reason for the feel that he chose.

[summerspiral]

your playing's cool! wish you could play next year's grade 5 exam piece (grin)

[animaltaglits]

That was beautiful. Bravo, I love this song.