Jimmie Lunceford
The Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra has always been a bit difficult to evaluate. Contemporary observers rated Lunceford's big band at the top with Duke Ellington and Count Basie but, when judging the music solely on their records (and not taking into account their visual show, appearance, and showmanship), Lunceford's ensemble has to be placed on the second tier. His orchestra lacked any really classic soloists (altoist Willie Smith and trombonist Trummy Young came the closest), and a large portion of the band's repertoire either featured the dated vocals of Dan Grissom, or were pleasant novelties. And yet, the well-rehearsed ensembles were very impressive, some of the arrangements (particularly those of Sy Oliver) were quite original, and the use of glee-club vocalists and short, concise solos were pleasing and often memorable. Plus Lunceford's was the first orchestra to feature high-note trumpeters (starting with Tommy Stevenson in 1934) and had a strong influence on the early Stan Kenton Orchestra.
Although he was trained on several instruments and was featured on flute on "Liza" in the 1940s, Jimmie Lunceford was much more significant as a bandleader than as a musician. While teaching music at Manassa High School in Memphis in 1927, Lunceford organized a student band called the Chickasaw Syncopators, recording two songs that year and a pair in 1930. After leaving Memphis, the band (known by then as the Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra) played in Cleveland and Buffalo and cut two songs in 1933 that were not issued until decades later. 1934 was the breakthrough year. The orchestra made a strong impression playing at New York's Cotton Club, waxed a few notable songs for Victor, and then started recording regularly for Decca. Their tight ensembles and colorful shows made them a major attraction throughout the remainder of the swing era. Among their many hits were "Rhythm Is Our Business," "Four or Five Times," "Swanee River," "Charmaine," "My Blue Heaven," "Organ Grinder's Swing," "Ain't She Sweet," "For Dancers Only," "'Tain't What You Do, It's the Way That Cha Do It," "Uptown Blues," and "Lunceford Special." The stars of the band included arranger Sy Oliver (on trumpet and vocals), Willie Smith, Trummy Young (who had a hit with "Margie"), and tenor saxophonist Joe Thomas.
In 1939, it was a major blow when Tommy Dorsey lured Sy Oliver away (although trumpeters Gerald Wilson and Snooky Young were important new additions). Unfortunately, Lunceford underpaid most of his sidemen, not thinking to reward them for their loyalty in the lean years. In 1942 Willie Smith was one of several key players who left for better-paying jobs elsewhere, and the orchestra gradually declined. Jimmie Lunceford was still a popular bandleader in 1947 when he suddenly collapsed; rumors have persisted that he was poisoned by a racist restaurant owner who was very reluctant about feeding his band. After Lunceford's death, pianist/arranger Ed Wilcox and Joe Thomas tried to keep the orchestra together, but in 1949 the band permanently broke up.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
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Dark City Nights
Jazz - Released by umore catalog on 12 Nov 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Lets Have A Drink
Jazz - Released by obligat music on 13 Nov 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Time To Play Some Music
Jazz - Released by Get Masters now GMN on 10 Jun 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Flowering May
Jazz - Released by prestige masters sound sompany on 5 May 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Different (with The Water)
Jazz - Released by SZG Crew sounds on 27 May 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Feel Freely
Jazz - Released by antori plaza music on 22 May 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Auditory Arrangement
Jazz - Released by genius vs. genius musica on 17 May 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
A Delicate Dance
Jazz - Released by ADD Fam. & Friends on 12 May 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Famous Jazz Instrumentalists
Jazz - Released by NK32 Records on 20 May 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dancers Only (Remastered)
Pop - Released by Not Out Of Style on 31 Jan 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bless Yourself
Pop - Released by Vintage Vinyl Records on 11 Mar 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jimmie Lunceford Selected Favorites, Vol. 2
Jazz - Released by Charly Records on 21 Mar 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jimmie Lunceford Selected Favorites Volume 1
Jazz - Released by Charly Records on 20 Jun 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jimmie Lunceford Selected Favorites Volume 2
Jazz - Released by Charly Records on 20 Jun 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Best Hits
Jazz - Released by The Most Wanted Hits on 11 Jul 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Big Bands, 1934 (Hq remastered)
Jazz - Released by Vintage Recordings on 14 Sep 2022
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
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Lunceford Special (EP) (All Tracks Remastered)
Traditional Jazz & New Orleans - Released by Hit Singles Records on 9 May 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
White Heat / Jazznocracy (All Tracks Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Hit Singles Records on 16 Aug 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rhythm Is Our Business
Jazz - Released by Blackdog on 15 Jun 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo