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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I'm Walking Through Heaven With You
Pop - Erschienen bei Unique Musique am 01.11.2020
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Big Bands of Jazz, Jimmie Lunceford 1934-1937
Jazz - Erschienen bei SendDigital am 01.11.2016
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Time Out Music
Jazz - Erschienen bei love loove music am 28.10.2020
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Rhythm Is Our Business
Jazz - Erschienen bei CoolNote am 01.01.2000
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Stomp It Off
Jazz - Erschienen bei Squirrel Monkey Recordings am 02.08.2016
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Long Play
Jazz - Erschienen bei playersparty remastered am 01.11.2015
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Keep Smilin' (Remastered)
Pop - Erschienen bei Revived am 13.12.2013
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The Best of the Best: Jimmie Lunceford
Bebop - Erschienen bei Tsk Music am 03.06.2013
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The One and Only: Jimmie Lunceford (Remastered)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Kateland am 22.08.2013
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Jimmie Lunceford Selected Favorites, Vol. 1
Jazz - Erschienen bei Charly Records am 21.03.2011
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The Very Best Of
Jazz - Erschienen bei Master Classics Records am 01.07.2009
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Jimmie Lunceford's Uptown Blues
Jazz - Erschienen bei Charly Records am 25.06.2006
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The Excellence of Jimmie Lunceford
Jazz - Erschienen bei Copyright Group am 27.03.2007
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Life Is Fine, Vol. 4
Jazz - Erschienen bei Documents am 01.01.2005
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Life Is Fine, Vol. 3
Jazz - Erschienen bei Documents am 01.01.2005
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Life Is Fine, Vol. 2
Jazz - Erschienen bei Documents am 01.01.2005
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