Portrait of Ivie Anderson (Podcast #18-010)

Ivie Anderson was Duke’s first full time singer and was perhaps his best vocalist. Continue reading


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“In addition to her great singing, Ivie was also considered a good-luck charm. We opened at the Oriental Theatre on Friday, February 13, 1931, and we broke the all-time house record. We returned to the Oriental on Friday, March 13, 1931, and broke that record, too. At the Palladium, our act was No. 13 on the bill.

They still talk about Ivie, and every girl singer we’ve had since has had to try to prevail over the Ivie Anderson image.”

Duke Ellington, Music is my Mistress




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Ivie Anderson’s restaurant (Ivie’s Chicken Shack) was part of Los Angeles’ African American jazz scene on Central Avenue.

 

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The recordings heard on this podcast episode:



 

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It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) (CD: “Duke Ellington: The Columbia Years 1927-1962” Columbia 5176872)

Recorded 2 February 1932 in New York City

Arthur Whetsel, Cootie Williams, Freddie Jenkins – trumpet; Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol – trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – banjo; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.


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(CD: “The Complete 1933-1940 Brunswick, Columbia and Master Recordings of Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra” Mosaic Records #248)

All God’s Chillun Got Rhythm (Recorded 8 June 1937, New York City)

I’ve Got to be a Rug Cutter (Recorded 5 March 1937, New York City)

Arthur Whetsel, Cootie Williams, Rex Stewart – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol – trombone; Otto Hardwicke, Johnny Hodges, Barney Bigard, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Hayes Alvis, Billy Taylor – bass; Sonny Greer – drums, Ivy Anderson – vocal.

A Lonely Co-ed/I’m Checking Out, Goom-bye (Recorded 12 June 1939, New York City)

Arthur Whetsel, Cootie Williams, Rex Stewart – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol – trombone; Otto Hardwicke, Johnny Hodges, Barney Bigard, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Billy Taylor – bass; Sonny Greer – drums, Ivy Anderson – vocal.

Mood Indigo (Recorded 14 February 1940, Chicago)

Wallace Jones, Cootie Williams, Rex Stewart – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol – trombone; Otto Hardwicke, Johnny Hodges, Barney Bigard, Ben Webster, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Jimmie Blanton – bass; Sonny Greer – drums, Ivie Anderson – vocal.


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Way Down Yonder In New Orleans/Oh, Babe! Maybe Someday/The Five O’Clock Whistle (CD: “Fargo, ND, November 7, 1940” Vintage Jazz Classics VJC-1019/20-2)

Recorded 7 November 1940 at The Crystal Ballroom in Fargo, North Dakota

Wallace Jones, Rex Stewart, Ray Nance – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol -trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Otto  Hardwicke, Ben Webster, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Jimmie Blanton – bass; Sonny Greer – drums; Ivie Anderson – vocal.



blanton webster(CD: “The Webster Blanton Band,” Bluebird 74321131812)

Rocks In My Bed (Recorded 26 September 1941, Los Angeles)

I’ve Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good) (Recorded 26 June 1941, Los Angeles)

Wallace Jones, Rex Stewart, Ray Nance – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol -trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Otto  Hardwicke, Ben Webster, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Jimmie Blanton – bass; Sonny Greer – drums; Ivie Anderson – vocal.


Hayfoot, Strawfoot
(Recorded 28 July 1942, Chicago)

Wallace Jones, Rex Stewart, Ray Nance – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol -trombone; Chauncy Haughton, Johnny Hodges, Otto  Hardwicke, Ben Webster, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Jimmie Blanton – bass; Sonny Greer – drums; Ivie Anderson – vocal.


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Solitude (CD: “Stereo Reflections in Ellington” Natasha Imports NI-4016)

 

Recorded live on 28 July 1942 at the Hotel Sherman in Chicago

Wallace Jones, Rex Stewart, Ray Nance – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol -trombone; Chauncy Haughton, Johnny Hodges, Otto  Hardwicke, Ben Webster, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Jimmie Blanton – bass; Sonny Greer – drums; Ivie Anderson – vocal.


 

— Our closing music —-

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It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.