Interesting Buster Smith Quote

[AllenLowe]

I know this is old news. in terms of importance and influence; however, a lot of revisionist approaches to jazz history have downplayed the reality which the following statement, by BUSTER SMITH in an old Jazz Review interview, reflects (he has been asked about white influence):

"There were three of us - Lester Young, Eddie Barefield, and myself - used to follow a white guy - Frankie Trumbauer. Yeah, we were crazy about him. And we lliked another guy very much, Dick Stabile. They were the ones we listened to, and a little later the boys tore out after Jimmy Dorsey."

Edited July 15, 2010 by AllenLowe

[Ted O'Reilly]

I know this is old news. in terms of importance and influence; however, a lot of revisionist approaches to jazz history have downplayed the reality which the following statement, by BUSTER SMITH in an old Jazz Review interview, reflects (he has been asked about white influence):

"There were three of us - Lester Young, Eddie Barefield, and myself - used to follow a white guy - Frankie Trumbauer. Yeah, we were crazy about him. And we lliked another guy very much, Dick Stabile. They were the ones we listened to, and a little later the boys tore out after Jimmy Dorsey."

Adds some more veracity to Randy (sorry: 'Randall') Sandke's interesting new book "Where The Dark And The Light Folks Meet".

[AllenLowe]

gotta get hold of that - I spoke to Randy recently and the response is very interesting - I hope it gets some exposure.

[John L]

That IS interesting. The strong influence of Trumbauer on Lester Young is well known. But I would have never guessed that Buster Smith was a Trumbauer disciple.

[marcello]

Those Bix and Tram recording were widely distributed,no?

Besides those recording and others under his own name, he also was on many recordings with Jean Goldkette, and Paul Whiteman.

That may be a reason that so many site him as a influence. His recoding were out there for many to hear. Black or White.

[Fer Urbina]

You can add Budd Johnson and Ben Webster to the list of budding saxophonists who learnt Trumbauer's solo on "Singin' The Blues" verbatim.

The Webster I've known for a while, but the Budd Johnson I read recently and cannot remember where!!!

F

[AllenLowe]

Trumbauer's solos are really things of beauty, and it's easy, in hindsight, to see how any progressive jazz musician would see him as worthy of attention.

While we're on the subject, I've long held the belief that the recording of Crazy Kat from that era inspired the tune Lester Leaps In.

[jazztrain]

You mean Krazy Kat? Will have to give it a listen later. Or sooner if it's on my ipod.

Trumbauer's solos are really things of beauty, and it's easy, in hindsight, to see how any progressive jazz musician would see him as worthy of attention.

While we're on the subject, I've long held the belief that the recording of Crazy Kat from that era inspired the tune Lester Leaps In.

[AllenLowe]

that's it - the opening melody is very Klose to Lester Leaps In.