Jazz Club USA # 01 - 1950-12-24

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – Jazz Club USA #01

Episode Title: Jazz Club USA #01 - 1950-12-24
Release Date: March 22, 2025
Host: Leonard Feather

---

Introduction to Jazz Club USA

The inaugural episode of Jazz Club USA sets the stage for a deep dive into the rich tapestry of jazz music. Hosted by the esteemed jazz critic and composer Leonard Feather, the program aims to showcase the diverse genres within jazz, including Dixieland swing, boogie-woogie, bebop, and more. Feather promises listeners an immersive experience, blending classic recordings with live performances from iconic jazz venues across the United States.

Leonard Feather [00:54]: "Greetings and modulations, friends. This is your host, Leonard Feather, inviting you to join our ringside table at Jazz Club USA."

Unreleased Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn Session

Feather tantalizes jazz aficionados with an exclusive preview of an unreleased recording featuring the legendary Duke Ellington and his arranging partner Billy Strayhorn. During a 1950 recording session for a new singer, the duo seized an unexpected 20-minute window to craft four impromptu piano duets. This segment includes the storied performance of "The C Jam Blues," highlighting their improvisational prowess.

Leonard Feather [04:44]: "Here is one of them, a famous Ellington hit, The C Jam Blues. You know, some of the top American jazz stars have been experimenting lately with the idea of recording a jazz performance with a background of strings and wood."

Dizzy Gillespie's Unique Arrangement of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"

Exploring the innovative boundaries of jazz, Feather introduces a remarkable rendition of the traditional spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" by the iconic Dizzy Gillespie. This performance is notable for its unconventional arrangement, featuring a backdrop of ten strings, woodwinds, rhythm section, and conga drums, eschewing the typical brass and saxophone ensemble.

Leonard Feather [09:17]: "You think I'm playing the wrong record? No, it really is Dizzy Gillespie. But this time he has a background of 10 strings, no saxes or trumpets, four woodwinds, rhythm and conga drums."

Performance Highlights:

• Ruth Kraus [10:41]: Delivers soulful vocals, intertwining with Gillespie's trumpet.
• Phil Napoleon [10:51]: Adds dynamic flair with trumpet interjections, enhancing the arrangement's depth.

Live Recording at Cafe Society, Greenwich Village

Taking listeners into the heart of New York's vibrant jazz scene, Feather narrates a live session recorded at the famed Cafe Society in Greenwich Village. This intimate nightclub has been a crucible for jazz legends like Teddy Wilson, Billie Holiday, and Lux Lewis. In this episode, the spotlight shines on Phil Napoleon and his band, the Memphis Five, setting the tone with a cherished Dixieland classic.

Leonard Feather [12:11]: "When we recorded down there recently, the orchestra was led by a great veteran of jazz, trumpeter Phil Napoleon. And here he is."

Phil Napoleon [13:00]: Welcomes the audience with enthusiasm:
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Cafe Society downtown. It's showtime.”

Featuring Ruth Kraus

The program introduces Ms. Ruth Kraus, a captivating vocalist whose performance captivates the audience with enchanting melodies and heartfelt lyrics.

Phil Napoleon [19:17]: "Here we have one of the finest gal singers we've heard in a long time. Let's welcome Ms. Ruth Kraus."

Ruth Kraus [19:53]: Sings a mesmerizing piece filled with lyrical grace and emotional depth, leaving a lasting impression on listeners.

Showcase of the Errol Garner Trio

Highlighting exceptional musicianship, the episode features the Errol Garner Trio, comprising Errol Garner on piano, John Simmons on bass, and Shadow Wilson on drums. Their rendition of "Lover" exemplifies the trio's seamless interplay and Garner's virtuosic piano skills.

Leonard Feather [24:04]: "This is actually the Errol Garner Trio, the other two members being John Simmons on bass and Shadow Wilson on drums. And they're playing."

Conclusion and Future Episodes

As the first episode draws to a close, Feather teases future content, including previews of unreleased recordings and more live performances from top New York jazz venues. He encourages listeners to engage with the show by suggesting artists or topics of interest, fostering a community of jazz enthusiasts.

Leonard Feather [28:35]: "Next week at the same time, we'll be bringing you some more new music, including another preview of an unreleased record, as well as some great in-person performances from one of the leading New York jazz clubs."

---

Key Takeaways

• Diverse Jazz Exploration: The episode covers a broad spectrum of jazz styles, ensuring a comprehensive listening experience.
• Exclusive Content: Unreleased recordings and unique arrangements provide fresh insights into jazz legends' creative processes.
• Live Performances: Intimate live sessions at iconic venues like Cafe Society offer authentic glimpses into the dynamic world of jazz.
• Engaging Host: Leonard Feather's knowledgeable and enthusiastic commentary enriches the listening experience, making complex jazz concepts accessible to all.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Leonard Feather [00:54]: "Here and there we'll tell you the story about the men who make this music."
• Leonard Feather [09:17]: "You think I'm playing the wrong record? No, it really is Dizzy Gillespie."
• Phil Napoleon [13:00]: “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Cafe Society downtown. It's showtime.”
• Leonard Feather [28:35]: "Until next week, may we remind you that if there's any particular artist you'd like to hear on Jazz Club USA, any questions you want to ask about the American musical scene, just drop us a line."

---

Conclusion

The debut episode of Jazz Club USA successfully marries historical jazz recordings with vibrant live performances, creating a nostalgic yet fresh auditory journey. Through Leonard Feather’s expert guidance and the showcased talents of jazz luminaries, listeners are invited to immerse themselves in the enduring legacy and evolving landscape of American jazz.

Transcript

[Narrator]

This country was built on a distinctly American work ethic. But today work is in trouble. We've outsourced most of our manufacturing to other countries and with that, we sent away good jobs and diminished our capability to make things. American Giant is a clothing company that's pushing back against this tide. They make a variety of high quality clothing and activewear like sweatshirts, jeans, dresses, jackets and so much more, all made right here in the USA from growing the cotton and adding the final touches. So when you buy American Giant, you create jobs for seamsters, cutters and factory workers in towns and cities across the United States. And it's about more than an income. Jobs bring pride, purpose. They stitch people together. If all that sounds good to you, visit american-giant.com and get 20% off your first order when you use code STAPLE20 at checkout. That's 20% off your first order at american-giant.com with promo code STAPLE20.

[Leonard Feather]

The Voice of America presents Jazz Club USA the Voice of America presents the first in a new series of programs designed to bring you jazz at its best. And here's your commentator and host, well known jazz critic and composer, contributor to Esquire, Metronome and other magazines, Leonard Feather. Greetings and modulations friends. This is your host, Leonard Feather inviting you to join our ringside table at Jazz Club usa. In these highlights from the treasury of jazz, you're going to hear every kind of music that's identified by the word jazz and that includes Dixieland swing, boogie woogie, bebop and whatever else comes along. Here and there we'll tell you the story about the men who make this music. And as an extra feature, you're going to hear jazz as it's being performed in the nightclubs, the theaters, hotels throughout the United States, wherever jazz is played. So it won't be just recordings, but also on the spot performances of jazz at its best. To start off our first show in a swinging mood, let's play a number recorded during a broadcast. When Count Basie joined forces with the Benny Goodman Orchestra for a number entitled Mad Boogie.

[Phil Napoleon]

Sa.

[Ruth Kraus]

It.

[Leonard Feather]

Next we bring you our exclusive preview of the week, a record that hasn't yet been released. A few weeks ago, Duke Ellington made some records because featuring a new singer, the recording session finished 20 minutes early and Duke decided to make use of the extra 20 minutes of studio time. Well, during that time, he and his arranging partner Billy Strayhorn recorded four completely ad libbed piano duets and here is one of them, a famous Ellington hit, the Sea Jam Blues. So that was The C Jam Blues, the latest one with Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn at the pianos. You know, some of the top American jazz stars have been experimenting lately with the idea of recording a jazz performance with a background of strings and wood.

[Stiles MacKenzie]

Here in America, work is in trouble. We've offshored our manufacturing, sent away good jobs and lost so much ability to make things. American Giant is a company that's pushing back against this tide. They make high quality clothing. Sweatshirts, jeans, dresses, jackets, and so much more right here in the USA. Visit american-giant.com and get 20% off your first order. When you use code STAPLE20 at checkout. That's 20% off your first order at american-giant.com, promo code STAPLE20.

[Narrator]

American Giant makes great clothing, sweatshirts, jeans and more right here in the U.S. visit american-giant.com and get 20% off your first order with code STAPLE20. That's 20% off your first order at american-giant.com code STAPLE20WINS.

[Leonard Feather]

The latest soloist to try this idea, and very successfully, I think, is Dizzy Gillespie. You'll hear Dizzy's trumpet and his vocal in this very unusual arrangement written by Johnny Richards of the traditional spiritual number Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. You think I'm playing the wrong record? No, it really is Dizzy Gillespie. But this time he has a background of 10 strings, no saxes or trumpets, four woodwinds, rhythm and conga drums.

[Ruth Kraus]

Coming for to bury me home I.

[Leonard Feather]

Looked over Jordan and what did I see Coming for to bury me whole.

[Phil Napoleon]

Oh, upon the wind Rangers coming after.

[Leonard Feather]

Me.

[Ruth Kraus]

Swing low Swing Carrier Coming for to carry me home Swing low Swing.

[Leonard Feather]

Common for to carry A few nights ago, we took the Voice of America microphone down to a famous home of jazz in New York's Greenwich Village. The place is called Cafe Society. It's a small, intimate nightclub where such great stuff stars as Teddy Wilson, Mead, Lux Lewis, Billie Holiday and many others made musical history a few years ago. But when we recorded down there recently, the orchestra was led by a great veteran of jazz, trumpeter Phil Napoleon. And here he is.

[Phil Napoleon]

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Cafe Society downtown. It's showtime. We'd like to start. My name, by the way, is Phil Napoleon. The band, the Memphis Five. We'd like to start with an old Dixieland favorite. And I hope you like Marlenberg, Joyce SA.

[Stiles MacKenzie]

We interrupt this program to bring you an important Wayfair message. Wayfair's got style tips for every home. This is Stiles MacKenzie helping you make those rooms sing. Today's style tip when it Comes to making a statement. Treat bold patterns like neutrals. Go wild like an untamed animal. Print area rug under a rustic farmhouse table. From wayfair.com fierce this has been your Wayfair style tip to keep those interiors superior.

[American Express Advertiser]

Wayfair Every style, Every home. If you work in quality control at a candy factory, you know strict safety regulations come with the job. It's why you partner with Grainger. Grainger helps you find the high quality and compliant products your business needs to inspect, detect and help correct issues. And the sweetest part is everyone gets a product that's as safe to eat as it is delicious. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click granger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Leonard Feather]

Looking at the bandstand, I can see that the drummer, Tony Spargo, is about to take a solo on the kazoo. That's really not a musical instrument, but a sort of modern version of the old Coleman Page paper idea that children like to play with.

[Phil Napoleon]

And now, ladies and gentlemen, Cafe society downtown here in the heart of Rent Village in New York City at 2 Sheridan Square proudly presents what we think is one of the finest little gal singers we've heard in a long time. I'm sure you're going to like. And let's welcome Ms. Ruth Kraus.

[Ruth Kraus]

Like magic has beginning smell oh like magic that you live so well Eyes of fingers helping down my behind Same old witchcraft when your eyes meet Same old angles that I feel inside when the elevator starts right Round and round I go Round and round I go Like a leap holding the tide I do that way what can I do I am name and I'm afraid I'm afraid can put out the fire for your love I waited for the mayfat fade out me created for the down and down I go down and down I go In a spin Loving the spin I'm in Under the black magic color I took my way what can I do I hear your name and I'm aflame I'm a flame with sight can pull out the fire for your love I have waited for the ma created for every time you leave me far down and browner I go down and brown I go In a spin Loving the spin I'm in Under the black magic color love underbaddle Black magic color under battle Black magic color under battle like magic.

[Phil Napoleon]

And now, ladies and gentlemen, Cathy Society downtown here in New York City is so proud to present what we think is one of the greatest groups of the kind in the country today. I'm sure you'll agree, asking where that man played at the piano, that one and only Errol Garner.

[Leonard Feather]

I'd like to point out for you listeners that this is actually the Errol Garner Trio, the other two members being John Simmons on bass and Shadow Wilson on drums. And they're playing.

[Ruth Kraus]

It. It's.

[Leonard Feather]

That was the Errol Garner Trio playing Lover, recorded during the visit of Jazz Club USA to Cafe Society. And now Phil Napoleon's group returns to play a number that was originated and popularized by the old Bob Crosby Band, a famous Dixieland special called South Rampart Street Parade. Now it looks as though we will have to close the doors on our first edition of Jazz Club usa. But next week at the same time, we'll be bringing you some more new music, including another preview of an unreleased record, as well as some great in person performances from one of the leading New York jazz clubs. And until then, may we remind you that if there's any particular artist you'd like to hear on Jazz Club usa, any questions you want to ask about the American musical scene, just drop us a line. Write to Jazz Club USA, Voice of America New York 19 this is your host, Leonard Feather, bidding you the best of tempos. Until next week.

[American Express Advertiser]

Bring along an American Express card to open the door to rewards wherever you go. Morning coffee run with an old friend. Earn cash back. Weekend getaway. Earn miles. Dinner at the hottest restaurant in town. You get the idea. No matter the place or the plan. AMEX rewards your inner explorer. See if you pre qualify for an American Express card with no impact on your credit score. Learn [e-mail] check 4 offers. Your credit score may be impacted if you accept a card. Terms apply.