Jazz Legends
2003
The Bubber Miley Era: 1924-1929
About This Album
Bubber Miley Era: 1924-1929 is a worthwhile sampler of classic early Duke Ellington, with the spotlight on James Wesley "Bubber" Miley (1903-1932), famous as a master of the muted growling trumpet. Trombonist Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton developed a comparable facility on his own instrument, emitting surprising tones that often blended wonderfully with Bubber's uncanny, human-sounding horn. Yet in a sense this retrospective touches upon the Otto "Toby" Hardwick era as he was Ellington's first noteworthy reedman and is well featured on the earliest selections. Although the liner notes dismiss "Choo Choo" as a "false start," this novelty number typifies much of the jazz recorded in 1924, right down to a scruffy banjo break by Fred Guy. "Choo Choo" may be enjoyed as a charmingly dated artifact and as contextual background for the exciting evolution of the Ellington band over the next five years. By 1927 you get to enjoy the ballast of Harry Carney's baritone saxophone, and the thrilling presence of Wellman Braud as he crowds the microphone with his bass fiddle. Johnny Hodges and Barney Bigard fill out the reed section in 1928, enabling Duke to explore musical concepts of increased poetic substance and depth.
Track List (try tracks 1,3 and 19)

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