An Interracial Tune A Day (#1)

Could keep the doctor away; you never know.

Last year I published a book: As Long as They Can Blow. Interracial Jazz and Other Jive Before 1935. Available at all major book outlets. My website has info, audio and video on the subject.

I’ve decided to post an interracial audio recording every day here on Substack. There are some days with none, so no recording that day.

Most people associate integration in jazz with Benny Goodman and his group with Lionel Hampton and Teddy Wilson. It may be eye-opening to people to see how much black and white musicians came together in the recording studio.

Today is January 26, for which I have no entry. However, I do have one for January 25 when, in 1935, Red Norvo and His Swing Octet made a recording with saxophonist Chu Berry and pianist Teddy Wilson. Here’s the discographical info:

Red Norvo and his Swing Octet: Bunny Berigan, t / Jack Jenney, tb / Johnny Mince, cl / Chu Berry, ts / Teddy Wilson, p / George van Eps, g / Artie Bernstein, sb / Gene Krupa, d / Red Norvo, x. New York, January 25,1935.

• Honeysuckle Rose- Col 3059-D, MC-3020, Par R-2117, A-6269;

• With All My Heart And Soul- Col 3026-D, MC-3031, Par R-2110;

• Bughouse- Col 3079-D, 36158, Br 8208, Par R-2241;

• Blues in E Flat- Col 3079-D, Par A-6739;

• If I Had A Talking Picture Of You- vCO’C: Worldecho A-1036 (SPB)

Here’s “Bughouse,” a hot tune.

Next entry: January 28, 1930