Classic Chu Berry Columbia And Victor Sessions (7 CDs)
By Alan Goodman
“Jazz classics inevitably proliferate here, as a glance at the personnel will confirm.” – Steve Voce, Jazz Journal Int’l.
OFTEN UNDER-RATED, ALMOST FORGOTTEN – BUT NOT BY US! THE DREAM CHU BERRY COLLECTION WE HAD TO CREATE.
We like to think that every Mosaic set adds something noteworthy to the archive of collected jazz. Our sets might reveal more than you ever knew existed from a favorite artist; provide an outlet for our personal love of an overlooked original; or provide, at last, the definitive library of an acknowledged giant.
Those are the measures we aim to accomplish each time out. And then, there are the projects that achieve all of that, and then go further. They seem to define why we open the doors every morning here on Melrose Place; search line by line through hand-written session logs and worn discographies and beg and plead with the owners of recorded masters to release them to us. The Classic Chu Berry Columbia and Victor Sessions is one of those defining projects.
A Comprehensive Collection
This set – featuring 203 separate recordings on seven CDs, originally cut over a span of eight years – collects both the sessions he led and others where he contributed significantly as a sideman. You can study his remarkable surefootedness as a soloist; remember an era where evolution in the music was running rampant and Chu Berry’s tenor saxophone was one of the things making it run. Consider the opinion of many that this man, if he hadn’t died young in the passenger seat of a wayward auto, might have become the most influential tenor saxophonist of the 20th Century. While many hear the sugar-sweet, florid runs of Coleman Hawkins, who came before him, the drive and swing and surprises belong to Chu Berry, and those elements are about the jazz that was to come.
Countless Pivotal Sessions
Berry’s prominence and versatility put him on the spot in a number of pivotal sessions including the first featured performances by the incomparable Teddy Wilson; the final recording session by the incomparable Bessie Smith; the recording debut (and what a debut it is) by Roy Eldridge who became Berry’s musical soul mate; key recordings by Fletcher Henderson; one of the greatest sessions ever by trumpeter Henry “Red” Allen; and a 1936 Chicago session led by Gene Krupa with members of the Fletcher Henderson band and the Benny Goodman band (including Goodman himself) that was light years ahead of its time, and which Berry himself called “the greatest record date on which I ever played.”
You’ll also find Teddy Wilson’s late-30s chamber recordings for Brunswick that are sheer heaven; the jazz side of Cab Calloway, heavily influenced by Berry and other stellar players to downplay the shtick and play the music; and on September 10, 1941, Chu Berry’s last recorded solo with the Calloway band.
From the first recording in 1933 to the last in 1941, there were so many luminaries with whom he shared the bandstand: Benny Carter’s Chocolate Dandies (with Teddy Wilson and Sid Catlett), Bessie Smith, Teddy Hill (with Roy Eldridge, Bill Coleman, Dicky Wells, and Russell Procope), Gene Krupa (featuring Goodman), Fletcher Henderson, Cab Calloway, Billie Holiday, Lionel Hampton, and more.
Just the Best – and Some New Discoveries
An important note: As Chu Berry participated in many sessions led by other bandleaders, the songs didn’t always feature him. He may have blown a short break, or played only on an ensemble rendition of the song’s theme. To give you as much Berry bang for your buck as possible, we’ve eliminated those sides, not because we think they are insignificant musically, but because this set focuses on Chu.
Our research turned up a dozen alternate takes, never released in any format but all included here. To find the rest today, you’d have to amass a collection of French Classics CDs by Henderson, Manone, Calloway and Wilson; Sony’s “Study in Frustration” collection by Henderson; a series by RCA released in France; whole box sets by Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith, plus Mosaic’s own Mildred Bailey box (sorry, it’s sold out); and various Sony CD releases that included some of the Cab Calloway recordings. Good luck!
And what you’d be left with wouldn’t benefit from our dedication to finding the best-sounding source possible, whether it be the original metal parts, lacquer discs, test pressings, or 78s held in private collections, not to mention our state-of-the-art digital re-mastering by the award winning engineer Ted Kendall. Without question, this music has never sounded better.
The set also includes a number of rarely-seen photographs of Chu and his cohorts, an illuminating essay and track-by-track analysis by Loren Schoenberg, and a discography that addresses numerous discrepancies that have appeared in various releases and accounts of the time.
Hearing these recordings again, there’s no mistaking his influence on Charlie Parker (who named his first son for Berry) and every other bebop musician, John Coltrane, and a host of other saxophonists today who may not even know from whom the ideas originated. Now, they’ll know.
“He’s one of the fastest, most inventive and creative minds that has ever been in my band. He doesn’t set his choruses, he continually bobbing up with something he hasn’t done before.” Fletcher Henderson
Classic Chu Berry Columbia And Victor Sessions (7 CDs)
Discography
For the purposes of this discography, only the first issue number of each matrix is listed. All first issues are American releases unless noted as (F) for France, (G) for Germany, (J) for Japan or (Sd) for Sweden.
78 label abbreviations: Ban for Banner, BB for Bluebird, Br for Brunswick, Col for Columbia, Cq for Conqueror, Mas for Master, Mt for Melotone, OK for OKeh, Or for Oriole, Par for Parlophone, Per for Perfect, Ro for Romeo, Vri for Variety, Vic for Victor, Voc for Vocalion.
CLASSIC CHU BERRY COLUMBIA AND VICTOR SESSIONS
________________________________________________________________________
(A) THE CHOCOLATE DANDIES (UNDER THE DIRECTION OF BENNY CARTER): Max Kaminsky (tp), Benny Carter (tp, as, arr), Floyd O’Brien (tb), Chu Berry (ts), Teddy Wilson (p), Lawrence Lucie (g), Ernest Hill (b), Sid Catlett (d).
NYC, October 10, 1933
265156-2 Blue Interlude Par R-1792
265157-2 I Never Knew Phontastic (Sd) 7647 (LP)
265157-1 I Never Knew Par R-1815, Col 2875-D
265158-1 Once Upon A Time Par R-1717, OK 41568
265159-2 Krazy Kapers –1 Par R-1743, OK 41568
-1 Mezz Mezzrow (d) replaces Catlett
Note: Matrix 265156 was originally titled Blue Fantasy on the Parlophone file card. Some copies of Columbia 2875-D have Chick Webb’s On The Sunny Side Of The Street on both sides.
A test pressing with an alternate take of Once Upon A Time is rumored to exist, but so far no evidence of this take has surfaced.
________________________________________________________________________
(B) BESSIE SMITH – ORCHESTRA ACC. BY BUCK AND HIS BAND: Frankie Newton (tp), Jack Teagarden (tb), poss.Benny Goodman (cl) on 152577, Chu Berry (ts), Buck Washington (p), Bobby Johnson (g), Billy Taylor (b), Bessie Smith (vcl).
NYC, November 24, 1933
152577-2 Do Your Duty (BS-vcl) OK 8945
152580-2 I’m Down In The Dumps (BS-vcl) –
Note: There has been some speculation as to the appearance of Benny Goodman on the two titles listed above. He is definitely heard on Gimme A Pigfoot which is the second title from this session (matrix 152578). However, there seems to be a soft, low register clarinet heard within the ensemble on Do Your Duty which was recorded first. The third title, Take Me For A Buggy Ride (matrix 152579) and the fourth, I’m Down In The Dumps do not display any audible clarinet.
________________________________________________________________________
(C) TEDDY HILL AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Bill Dillard, Roy Eldridge, Bill Coleman (tp), Dicky Wells (tb), Russell Procope (cl, as), Howard Johnson (as), Teddy Hill, Chu Berry (ts), Sam Allen (p), John Smith (g), Richard Fullbright (b), Bill Beason (d).
NYC, February 26, 1935
16923-1 (Lookie, Lookie, Lookie)
Here Comes Cookie Ban 33384, Cq 8521, Mt 13351,
Or 3114, Per 16093, Ro 2488
16925-1 When The Robin
Sings His Songs Again Ban 33397, Mt 13364, Or 3123,
Per 16101, Ro 2497
________________________________________________________________________ (D) HENRY ALLEN AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Henry “Red” Allen (tp, vcl), Dicky Wells (tb), Cecil Scott (cl), Chu Berry (ts), Horace Henderson (p), Bernard Addison (g), John Kirby (b), George Stafford (d).
NYC, April 29, 1935
17395-1 Rosetta Voc 2965
17397-1 I’ll Never Say ‘Never Again’ Again Voc 2956
17398-1 Get Rhythm In Your Feet –
Note: Allen is the vocalist on all the titles from this session. Personnel obtained from the Vocalion ledgers. ________________________________________________________________________ (E) PUTNEY DANDRIDGE AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Roy Eldridge (tp), Chu Berry (ts), Putney Dandridge (p-2, vcl), Harry Grey (p-1), Nappy Lamare (g), Artie Bernstein (b), Bill Beason (d).
NYC, June 25, 1935
17730-2 Chasing Shadows –1 Rarities RA 26 (LP)
17730-1 Chasing Shadows –1 Voc 2982
17731-1 When I Grow Too Old To Dream –2 –
Note: Dandridge is the vocalist on all the titles from this session. Personnel obtained from the Vocalion ledgers.
________________________________________________________________________
(F) MILDRED BAILEY AND HER SWING BAND: Chris Griffin (tp), Chu Berry (ts), Teddy Wilson (p), Dick McDonough (g), Artie Bernstein (b), Eddie Dougherty (d), Red Norvo (xyl) –1, Mildred Bailey (vcl).
NYC, September 20, 1935
18090-1 I’d Love To Take Orders From You Voc 3056
18091-1 I’d Rather Listen To Your Eyes –
18093-1 When Day Is Done –1 Voc 3057
Note: Bailey is the vocalist on all the titles from this session.
________________________________________________________________________
(G) TEDDY WILSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Roy Eldridge (tp), Benny Morton (tb), Chu Berry (ts), Teddy Wilson (p), Dave Barbour (g), John Kirby (b), Cozy Cole (d), Billie Holiday (vcl).
NYC, October 25, 1935
B 18196-1 Twenty Four Hours A Day Br 7550
B 18197-1 Yankee Doodle Never Went To Town –
B 18199-1 Eeny Meeney Miney Mo Br 7554
Note: Billie Holiday is the vocalist on all titles from this session.
________________________________________________________________________
(H) GENE KRUPA’S SWING BAND: Roy Eldridge (tp), Benny Goodman (cl), Chu Berry (ts), Jess Stacy (p), Allan Reuss (g), Israel Crosby (b), Gene Krupa (d), Helen Ward (vcl).
Chicago, February 29, 1936
100012-1 I Hope Gabriel Likes My Music Vic 25276
100013-1 Mutiny In The Parlor (HW-vcl) Vic 25263
100014-1 I’m Gonna Clap My Hands (HW-vcl) –
100015-1 Swing Is Here Vic 25276
________________________________________________________________________
(I) FLETCHER HENDERSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Dick Vance (tp, arr), Joe Thomas, Roy Eldridge (tp), Fernando Arbello, Ed Cuffee (tb), Buster Bailey (cl, as), Scoops Carey (as), Elmer Williams, Chu Berry (ts), Fletcher Henderson (p-1, arr), Horace Henderson (p-2, arr), Bob Lessey (g), John Kirby (b), Sid Catlett (d).
Chicago, March 27, 1936
C 1331-1 Christopher Columbus (HH-arr) –2 Voc 3211
C 1332-1 Grand Terrace Swing (DV-arr) –1 Voc 3213
C 1333-1 Blue Lou (HH-arr) –2 Voc 3211
C 1334-1 Stealin’ Apples (head arr) –1 Voc 3213
Note: At some point after the initial release of Vocalion 3213, Grand Terrace Swing was retitled Big Chief de Sota.
________________________________________________________________________
(J) FLETCHER HENDERSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Dick Vance (tp, arr), Joe Thomas, Roy Eldridge (tp), Fernando Arbello, Ed Cuffee (tb), Buster Bailey, Omer Simeon (cl, as), Elmer Williams, Chu Berry (cl, ts), Fletcher Henderson (p-1, arr), Horace Henderson (p-2), Bob Lessey (g), Israel Crosby (b), Sid Catlett (d), Roger Moore (arr).
Chicago, April 9, 1936
100361-1 Moonrise On The Lowlands –2 (FH or DV-arr) Vic 25297
100362-1 I’ll Always Be In Love With You –1 (FH-arr) Vic 25317
100363-1 Jangled Nerves –2 (RM or FH-arr) –
________________________________________________________________________
(K) TEDDY WILSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Roy Eldridge (tp, vcl), Buster Bailey (cl), Chu Berry (ts), Teddy Wilson (p), Bob Lessey (g), Israel Crosby (b), Sid Catlett (d, vib).
Chicago, May 14-15, 1936 (11:30 pm – 5:45 am)
C 1376-1 Mary Had A Little Lamb (RE-vcl) Br 7673
C 1377-2 Too Good To Be True –
C 1378-1 Warmin’ Up Br 7684
C 1379-1 Blues In C Sharp Minor –
Note: Personnel obtained from the Brunswick ledgers.
________________________________________________________________________
(L) FLETCHER HENDERSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Dick Vance (tp, arr), Joe Thomas (tp), Roy Eldridge (tp, vcl), Fernando Arbello, Ed Cuffee (tb), Buster Bailey (cl, as), Don Pasquall (as), Elmer Williams, Chu Berry (ts), Horace Henderson (p, arr), Bob Lessey (g), Israel Crosby (b), Sid Catlett (d), Teddy Lewis (vcl), Fletcher Henderson, Spud Murphy (arr).
Chicago, May 23, 1936
100557-1 Where There’s You
There’s Me (TL-vcl) (HH-arr) Vic 25334
100558-1 Do You Or Don’t You
Love Me (TL-vcl) (HH or SM-arr) –
100561-1 Mary Had A Little
Lamb (RE-vcl) (FH or DV-arr) RCA LPM 10019 (LP)
________________________________________________________________________ (M) FLETCHER HENDERSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Dick Vance (tp, vcl), Joe Thomas (tp), Roy Eldridge (tp, vcl), Fernando Arbello (tb), Ed Cuffee (tb, vcl), Buster Bailey (cl, as), Don Pasquall (as), Elmer Williams (ts), Chu Berry (ts, bari –1), Fletcher Henderson (p, arr), Horace Henderson (p on matrix 100887, arr), Bob Lessey (g), Israel Crosby (b), Walter Johnson (d), “Georgia Boy” Simpkins (vcl), L.J. Russell (arr).
Chicago, August 4, 1936
100882-1 Shoe Shine Boy (RE-vcl) (LJR-arr) Vic 25375
100883-1 Sing, Sing, Sing (GBS-vcl) (HH-arr) –
100885-2 Knock, Knock Who’s There? –1
(RE, EC & band-vcl) (HH-arr) RCA LPM 10019 (LP)
100885-1 Knock, Knock Who’s There? –1
(RE, EC & band-vcl) (HH-arr) Vic 25373
100886-1 Jim Town Blues (HH-arr) Vic 25379
100887-1 You Can Depend On Me (DV-vcl) (FH-arr) –
Note: Some discographies list Spud Murphy as arranger on Sing, Sing, Sing and Dick Vance for Knock, Knock Who’s There?. However, the Victor logs credit Horace Henderson with the arrangements.
Victor 25379 lists Fletcher Henderson as the arranger on Jim Town Blues. However, according to Walter C. Allen’s Hendersonia, Horace Henderson claimed this to be his work.
________________________________________________________________________
(N) FLETCHER HENDERSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Dick Vance (tp, arr), Russell Smith, Emmett Berry (tp), George Washington, Ed Cuffee, J.C. Higginbotham (tb), Jerry Blake (cl, as, vcl, arr), Hilton Jefferson (as), Elmer Williams, Chu Berry (ts), Fletcher Henderson (p, arr), Lawrence Lucie (g), Israel Crosby (b), Walter Johnson (d), Benny Carter (arr).
NYC, March 2-3, 1937 (12:30 pm – 4:45 am)
20754-2 Slummin’ On Park Avenue (JB-vcl, arr) Voc 3485
20754-1 Slummin’ On Park Avenue (JB-vcl, arr) –
20755-1 Rhythm Of The Tambourine (BC-arr) Voc 3487
Note: Some discographies claim that Two Flats Disc (an Italian LP label) was the first to issue 20754-2. However, this take has surfaced on 78.
________________________________________________________________________
(O) FLETCHER HENDERSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (N) except one of the reeds doubles on clarinet during Rose Room.
NYC, March 22, 1937
20858-1 Back In Your Own Backyard (FH-arr) Voc 3511
20859-1 Rose Room (FH-arr) –
20860-2 Great Caesar’s Ghost (DV-arr) Voc 3534
________________________________________________________________________
(P) CHU BERRY AND HIS STOMPY STEVEDORES: Hot Lips Page (tp, vcl), George Matthews (tb), Buster Bailey (cl), Chu Berry (ts), Horace Henderson (p), Lawrence Lucie (g), Israel Crosby (b), Cozy Cole (d).
NYC, March 23, 1937
M 293-2 Now You’re
Talking My Language (HLP-vcl) Vri 532
M 294-2 Back Home Again In Indiana Vri 587
M 294-1 Back Home Again In Indiana Meritt 12 (LP)
M 295-2 Too Marvelous For Words (HLP-vcl) Swing (F) 358
M 295-1 Too Marvelous For Words (HLP-vcl) Vri 532
M 296-2 Limehouse Blues Meritt 12 (LP)
M 296-1 Limehouse Blues Vri 587
Note: Personnel obtained from the Variety ledgers.
Epic 22007 (LP), Chu, lists matrix M 293-1 and matrix M 294-1. However, in both cases, -2 is the take that is used. The same Epic LP shows matrix M 295-2, although, -1 was used.
Columbia CK 65631 (CD) Jump For Joy lists M 294-1 as being issued on Variety 587, however, -2 is the only take that has surfaced on the original 78.
Some discographies list matrix M 295-2 as also being issued on Variety 532.
________________________________________________________________________
(Q) FLETCHER HENDERSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Dick Vance, Russell Smith, Emmett Berry (tp), John McConnell, Albert Wynn, Ed Cuffee (tb), Jerry Blake (cl, as, vcl, arr), Hilton Jefferson (cl, as), Elmer Williams, Chu Berry (cl, ts), Fletcher Henderson (p), Lawrence Lucie (g), Israel Crosby (b), Pete Suggs (d), Horace Henderson (arr).
Chicago, June 30, 1937
C 1957-2 All God’s Chillun Got Rhythm (JB-vcl, arr) Voc 3641
C 1958-1 Chris And His Gang (HH-arr) –
________________________________________________________________________
(R) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Doc Cheatham, Irving Randolph, Lammar Wright (tp), Claude Jones, Keg Johnson, DePriest Wheeler (tb), Garvin Bushell, Andrew Brown (as), Chu Berry, Walter “Foots” Thomas (ts), Bennie Payne (p), Morris White (g), Milt Hinton (b), Leroy Maxey (d), Cab Calloway (vcl, dir).
NYC, August 24, 1937
M 607-1 I’m Always In The Mood For You (CC-vcl) Vri 643
M 608-1 She’s Tall, She’s Tan, She’s Terrific (CC-vcl) –
Note: Personnel obtained from the Variety ledgers.
________________________________________________________________________
(S) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (R).
NYC, August 31, 1937
M 617-1 Go South, Young Man (CC-vcl) Vri 644
M 618-1 Mama, I Want To Make Rhythm (CC-vcl) –
M 620-2 Queen Isabella Vri 662
M 621-2 Savage Rhythm –
Note: Personnel obtained from the Variety ledgers.
_______________________________________________________________________
(T) CHU BERRY AND HIS STOMPY STEVEDORES: Irving Randolph (tp), Keg Johnson (tb), Chu Berry (ts), Benny Payne (p, vcl), Danny Barker (g), Milt Hinton (b), Leroy Maxey (d).
NYC, September 10, 1937
M 622-1 Chuberry Jam Col 37571
M 623-2 Maelstrom Meritt 10 (LP)
M 623-1 Maelstrom Col 37571
M 624-1 My Secret Love Affair (BP-vcl) Vri 657
M 625-1 Ebb Tide –
Note: Personnel obtained from the Variety ledgers.
________________________________________________________________________
(U) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Doc Cheatham, Irving Randolph, Lammar Wright, (tp), Claude Jones, Keg Johnson, DePriest Wheeler (tb), Chauncey Haughton (cl, as), Andrew Brown (cl, as, bari), Chu Berry, Walter “Foots” Thomas (ts), Bennie Payne (p), Danny Barker (g), Milt Hinton (b), Leroy Maxey (d), Cab Calloway (vcl, dir).
NYC, December 10, 1937
M 694-1 A Minor Breakdown previously unissued
M 694-2 A Minor Breakdown Meritt 21/22 (LP)
M 695-1 Bugle Blues (CC-vcl) Voc 4019, Cq 9090
Note: Meritt LP 21/22 incorrectly lists –1 for matrix M 694.
________________________________________________________________________
(V) TEDDY WILSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Hot Lips Page (tp), Pee Wee Russell (cl), Chu Berry (ts), Teddy Wilson (p), Allen Reuss (g), unknown (b), unknown (d), Sally Gooding (vcl).
NYC, December 17, 1937
B 22192-2 My First Impression Of You (SG-vcl) Meritt 21 / 22 (LP)
B 22193-1 With A Smile And A Song (SG-vcl) –
B 22193-2 With A Smile And A Song (SG-vcl) –
B 22194-2 When You’re Smiling –
B 22195-2 I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me –
Note: Personnel obtained from the Brunswick ledgers, however, both the bassist and drummer are not listed.
Matrices 22192, 22194 and 22195 were remade at a Teddy Wilson / Billie Holiday session for Brunswick on January 6, 1938.
________________________________________________________________________
(W) MILDRED BAILEY AND HER ORCHESTRA: Jimmy Blake (tp), Hank D’Amico (cl), Chu Berry (ts), Teddy Wilson (p), Allen Reuss (g), Pete Peterson (b), Dave Tough (d), Mildred Bailey (vcl), Eddie Sauter (arr).
NYC, January 10, 1938
22266-1 Thanks For The Memory Meritt 12 (LP)
22266-2 Thanks For The Memory Voc 3931
22268-2 Lover Come Back To Me Meritt 12 (LP)
22268-1 Lover Come Back To Me Voc 3982
Note: Bailey is the vocalist on all the titles from this session.
________________________________________________________________________
(X) WINGY MANNONE AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Wingy Manone (tp, arr, vcl), Joe Marsala (cl), Doc Rando (as), Chu Berry (ts), Conrad Lanoue (p), Jack Lemaire (g), Artie Shapiro (b), Danny Alvin (d).
NYC, January 12, 1938
018321-1 Annie Laurie BB B-7389
018322-1 Loch Lomond –
018325-1 My Mariuccia Take A Steamboat BB B-7395
018326-1 In The Land Of Yamo Yamo –
Note: On all Manone sessions listed in this set, the label credits will vary with the spelling of his name. Manone is the vocalist on all the titles from this session.
For this session, discographies list a different personnel, including Bud Freeman as the tenor saxist.
________________________________________________________________________
(Y) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Doc Cheatham, Irving Randolph, Lammar Wright (tp), Claude Jones, Keg Johnson, DePriest Wheeler (tb), Chauncey Haughton, Andrew Brown (cl, as), Chu Berry, Walter “Foots” Thomas (ts), Bennie Payne (p), Danny Barker (g), Milt Hinton (b), Leroy Maxey (d), Cab Calloway (vcl, dir).
NYC, January 26, 1938
M 745-1 Rustle Of Swing previously unissued
M 745-2 Rustle Of Swing Voc 4144
M 746-1 Three Swings And Out Voc 3995
M 747-1 I Like Music
(With A Swing Like That) (CC-vcl) –
Note: The reeds double on clarinet in addition to a bass clarinet added for both takes of Rustle Of Swing.
________________________________________________________________________
(Z) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (Y) except omit clarinets from reed section.
NYC, February 10, 1938
Penguin Swing (CC-vcl) Jazz Archives 8 (LP)
Note: Although this performance has long been rumored to come from an acetate of an undocumented recording session for Vocalion, there is the possibility it might be a radio remote or soundtrack to a film.
________________________________________________________________________
(AA) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (Y) except Haughton is the only clarinetist.
NYC, March 23, 1938
M 790-1 Peck-A-Doodle-Do (CC-vcl) Voc 4100
M 791-1 At The Clambake Carnival –1 Voc 4437
M 792-1 Hoy-Hoy (CC-vcl) Voc 4144
-1 Payne doubles on vibes.
________________________________________________________________________
(BB) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (Y) except a baritone sax is added (possibly Andrew Brown doubling).
NYC, August 30, 1938
M 891-1 Miss Hallelujah Brown (CC-vcl) Voc 4400
M 895-1 Shout, Shout, Shout Voc 4369, Cq 9091
M 897-1 Jive (Page “1” Of The
Hepster’s Dictionary) (CC-vcl) Voc 4437
________________________________________________________________________
(CC) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (BB).
NYC, October 27, 1938
M 904-1 Do You Wanna Jump, Children ? (CC-vcl) Voc 4477, Cq 9089
M 907-1 Blue Interlude (CC-vcl) Voc 4538
________________________________________________________________________
(DD) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (BB) except a couple of the reeds double on flute.
NYC, November 2, 1938
M 908-1 FDR Jones (CC-vcl) Voc 4498
________________________________________________________________________
(EE) BILLIE HOLIDAY AND HER ORCHESTRA: Charlie Shavers (tp), Tyree Glenn (tb), Chu Berry (ts), Sonny White (p), Al Casey (g), Johnny Williams (b), Cozy Cole (d), Billie Holiday (vcl).
NYC, January 20, 1939
B 23992-2 That’s All I Ask Of You (BH-vcl) CBS (J) SOPH 67/68 (LP)
B 23992-1 That’s All I Ask Of You (BH-vcl) Voc / OK 4631
Note: Personnel obtained from the Vocalion ledgers. ________________________________________________________________________
(FF) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Irving Randolph, Lammar Wright, Doc Cheatham (tp), Claude Jones, Keg Johnson, DePriest Wheeler (tb), Chauncey Haughton, Andrew Brown (cl, as), Chu Berry, Walter “Foots” Thomas (ts), Bennie Payne (p), Danny Barker (g), Milt Hinton (b), Cozy Cole (d), Cab Calloway (vcl, dir).
NYC, March 28, 1939
WM 1012-2 Floogie Walk Voc 4807
Note: Discographies and Classics CD 595 list WM 1012-1. However, -2 is the take that was used. At this time, no other take has surfaced.
________________________________________________________________________
(GG) LIONEL HAMPTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Irving Randolph (tp), Hymie Schertzer, Russell Procope (cl, as), Jerry Jerome (cl, b-cl, ts), Chu Berry (ts), Lionel Hampton (vib, vcl), Clyde Hart (p), Allan Reuss (g), Milt Hinton (b), Cozy Cole (d), Fred Norman (arr).
NYC, April 3, 1939
035392-1 I Can Give You Love (LH-vcl) Vic 26343
035393-1 High Society (FN-arr) Vic 26209
035395-1 Johnny Get Your Horn (LH-vcl) Vic 26343
Note: Discographies list Hymie Schertzer as the bass clarinetist on High Society. However, Jerry Jerome confirmed he was the soloist.
________________________________________________________________________
(HH) LIONEL HAMPTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Chu Berry (ts), Lionel Hampton (vib, vcl), Clyde Hart (p), Allan Reuss (g), Milt Hinton (b), Cozy Cole (d).
NYC, April 5, 1939
035703-1 Sweethearts On Parade (LH-vcl) Vic 26209
035704-1 Shufflin’ At The Hollywood RCA LPM (G) 10024 (LP)
035704-2 Shufflin’ At The Hollywood Vic 26254
035705-1 Denison Swing –1 Vic 26233
035706-1 Wizzin’ The Wizz previously unissued
035706-2 Wizzin’ The Wizz Vic 26233
-1 Hampton (p) replaces Hart.
________________________________________________________________________
(II) WINGIE MANONE AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Wingy Manone (tp, vcl), Buster Bailey (cl), Chu Berry (ts), Conrad Lanoue (p), Zeb Julian (g), Jules Cassard (b), Cozy Cole (d).
NYC, April 26, 1939
036534-1 Downright Disgusted Blues (WM-vcl) BB 10296
036535-1 Corrine Corrini (WM-vcl) BB 10266
036536-1 I’m A Real Kinda Papa (WM-vcl) –
036537-1 Jumpy Nerves BB 10289
036539-1 Boogie Woogie (WM-vcl) BB 10296
________________________________________________________________________
(JJ) LIONEL HAMPTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Ziggy Elman (tp), Hymie Schertzer, Russell Procope (as), Jerry Jerome, Chu Berry (ts), Lionel Hampton (vib), Clyde Hart (p), Danny Barker (g), Milt Hinton (b), Cozy Cole (d).
NYC, June 9, 1939
037616-1 Ain’t Cha Comin’ Home ? Vic 26362
________________________________________________________________________
(KK) WINGIE MANONE AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Wingy Manone (tp, vcl), Buster Bailey (cl), Chu Berry (ts), Conrad Lanoue (p), Danny Barker (g), Jules Cassard (b), Cozy Cole (d).
NYC, June 19, 1939
037729-1 Royal Garden Blues BB 10331
037731-1 In The Barrel (WM-vcl) –
037732-1 Farewell Blues BB 10401
037733-1 Fare Thee, My Baby,
Fare-Thee-Well (WM-vcl) BB 10432
037734-1 Limehouse Blues –
________________________________________________________________________
(LL) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Mario Bauza, Irving Randolph, Lammar Wright (tp), Claude Jones, Keg Johnson, DePriest Wheeler (tb), Chauncey Haughton (cl, as), Andrew Brown (cl, as, bari), Chu Berry, Walter “Foots” Thomas (ts), Bennie Payne (p), Danny Barker (g), Milt Hinton (b), Cozy Cole (d), Edgar Battle (arr), Cab Calloway (vcl, dir).
Liederkranz Hall, NYC, July 17, 1939
WM 1054-A Trylon Swing Voc 5005, Cq 9300
WM 1055-A Utt Da Zay (CC-vcl) Voc 5062
WM 1056-A Crescendo In Drums (EB-arr) –
WM 1057-A The Jumpin’ Jive (CC-vcl) (EB-arr) Voc 5005, Cq 9300
________________________________________________________________________
(MM) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Mario Bauza, Dizzy Gillespie, Lammar Wright (tp), Claude Jones, Keg Johnson, DePriest Wheeler (tb), Chauncey Haughton (cl, as), Andrew Brown (cl, as, bari), Chu Berry, Walter “Foots” Thomas (ts), Bennie Payne (p), Danny Barker (g), Milt Hinton (b), Cozy Cole (d), Chappie Willett (arr), Cab Calloway (vcl, dir).
NYC, August 30, 1939
WM 1067-B Pluckin’ The Bass Meritt 12 (LP)
WM 1067-A Pluckin’ The Bass Voc 5406, Cq 9465
WM 1068-A I Ain’t Getting Nowhere Fast
(CC-vcl) (CW-arr) Voc 5195
________________________________________________________________________
(NN) WINGIE MANONE AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Wingy Manone (tp, vcl), Buck Scott (tb), Gus Fetterer (cl), Chu Berry (ts), Ernie Hughes (p), Zeb Julian (g), Sid Jacobs (b), Cozy Cole (d).
NYC, September 6, 1939
041971-1 Blue Lou BB 10749
041974-1 When The Saints Go Marching In (WM-vcl) BB 10560
041975-1 My Honey’s Lovin’ Arms (WM-vcl) BB 30-0801
041976-1 When My Sugar
Walks Down The Street (WM-vcl) –
________________________________________________________________________
(OO) LIONEL HAMPTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Dizzy Gillespie (tp), Benny Carter (as, arr), Coleman Hawkins, Chu Berry, Ben Webster (ts), Lionel Hampton (vib), Clyde Hart (p), Charlie Christian (g), Milt Hinton (b), Cozy Cole (d).
NYC, September 11, 1939
041408-1 Hot Mallets Vic 26371
________________________________________________________________________
(PP) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (MM).
NYC, November 20, 1939
WM 1113-A A Bee Gezindt Voc 5267
WM 1114-A Give, Baby, Give Voc 5406, Cq 9465
WM 1116-A Do It Again Voc 5364
Note: Calloway is the vocalist on all titles from this session.
________________________________________________________________________
(QQ) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Mario Bauza, Dizzy Gillespie, Lammar Wright (tp), Tyree Glenn (tb, vib, vcl), Quentin Jackson, Keg Johnson (tb), Hilton Jefferson, Andrew Brown (cl, as), Chu Berry, Walter “Foots” Thomas (ts), Jerry Blake (cl, bari), Bennie Payne (p), Danny Barker (g), Milt Hinton (b), Cozy Cole (d), Benny Carter, Edgar Battle, Andy Gibson, Buster Harding, Don Redman (arr), Cab Calloway (vcl, dir).
Liederkranz Hall, NYC, May 15, 1940
27295-2 Calling All Bars (BC-arr) Jazz Archives 8 (LP)
27295-1 Calling All Bars (BC-arr) OK 5731
27296-4 Do I Care ? No, No (CC-vcl) previously unissued
27296-1 Do I Care ? No, No (CC-vcl) OK 5591
27297-2 The Lone Arranger (BC-arr) Meritt 12 (LP)
27297-1 The Lone Arranger (BC-arr) –
27299-1 Hard Times (CC-vcl) (EB-arr) OK 5566
27301-2 Who’s Yehoodi ? (CC-vcl) Jazz Archives 8 (LP)
27301-1 Who’s Yehoodi ? (CC-vcl) OK 5566
Note: On Meritt 12 The Lone Arranger is incorrectly identified; Matrix 27297-1 is actually 27298-2 and visa versa. The original logs for The Lone Arranger have a notation from the producer of the session, John Hammond, which states “I do not recommend this record”. Personnel obtained from the OKeh ledgers.
________________________________________________________________________
(RR) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (QQ).
Chicago, June 27, 1940
WC 3162-A Come On With The ‘Come On’
(CC-vcl) (AG-arr) OK 5687
WC 3163-B A Ghost Of A Chance (AG-arr) Meritt 12 (LP)
WC 3163-A A Ghost Of A Chance (AG-arr) OK 5687
WC 3164-B Bye Bye Blues Jazz Archives 8 (LP)
WC 3164-A Bye Bye Blues OK 6084
Note: Personnel obtained from the OKeh ledgers. Epic 22007 (LP) lists matrix WC 3163-1, but it is the same as WC 3163-A.
________________________________________________________________________
(SS) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (QQ).
NYC, August 5, 1940
27801-3 Papa’s In Bed
With His Britches On (CC-vcl) previously unissued
27801-B / 2 Papa’s In Bed
With His Britches On (CC-vcl) Meritt 12 (LP)
27801-A / 1 Papa’s In Bed
With His Britches On (CC-vcl) OK 5731
27803-2 Boo-Wah Boo-Wah (CC-vcl) (BH-arr) previously unissued
27803-1 Boo-Wah Boo-Wah (CC-vcl) (BH-arr) OK 5774
________________________________________________________________________
(TT) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (QQ).
NYC, August 28, 1940
28513-1 Cupid’s Nightmare (DR-arr) OK 6035
28515-1 Are You Hep To
The Jive ? (CC-vcl) (AG-arr) OK 5804
28517-1 Hot Air OK 5950
28518-2 Lonesome Nights (BC-arr) Meritt 12 (LP)
28518-1 Lonesome Nights (BC-arr) OK 5827
________________________________________________________________________
(UU) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (QQ).
NYC, October 14, 1940
28863-2 A Chicken Ain’t
Nothin’ But A Bird (CC-vcl) previously unissued
28863-BD A Chicken Ain’t
Nothin’ But A Bird (CC-vcl) previously unissued
28863-1 A Chicken Ain’t
Nothin’ But A Bird (CC-vcl) OK 5847
28864-1 The Worker’s Train OK 5874
28864-BD The Worker’s Train previously unissued
________________________________________________________________________
(VV) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (QQ).
Chicago, January 16, 1941
C 3518-2 Run, Little Rabbit (CC-vcl) (AG-arr) previously unissued
C 3518-1 Run, Little Rabbit (CC-vcl) (AG-arr) OK 6084
C 3521-2 Are You All Reet ? (CC-vcl) previously unissued
C 3521-1 Are You All Reet ? (CC-vcl) OK 6035
Note: The chatter that occurs just prior to Matrix C 3518-2 is between Calloway and the session’s producer John Hammond.
________________________________________________________________________
(WW) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (QQ) except Jonah Jones (tp) replaces Bauza.
NYC, March 5, 1941
29869-3 Special Delivery (AG-arr) previously unissued
29869-2 Special Delivery (AG-arr) Jazz Archives 8 (LP)
29869-1 Special Delivery (AG-arr) OK 6147
________________________________________________________________________
(XX) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (WW).
NYC, July 3, 1941
30835-1 Take The ‘A’ Train (BH-arr) OK 6305, Cq 9914
________________________________________________________________________
(YY) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (WW).
NYC, July 24, 1941
30939-1 Hey Doc ! (CC, TG-vcl) OK 6354
________________________________________________________________________
(ZZ) CAB CALLOWAY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (WW).
NYC, September 10, 1941
31302-1 My Coo-Coo Bird
(Could Swing) (CC-vcl) (BH-arr) OK 6459
________________________________________________________________________
The original recording supervisors (producers) for these sessions were: Harry Grey (sessions C, D and E), John Hammond (sessions A, B, F, G, H, K, V, EE, OO, QQ, SS, TT, UU and VV, Bernie Hanighen or Morty Palitz (session W), Leonard Joy (sessions X, II, KK and NN), Helen Oakley (sessions P, R, S, T, U, Y, AA, BB, CC, DD, FF, LL, MM and PP and Steve Sholes (sessions GG, HH, JJ). It is not certain who the other recording supervisors are for the remainder of the sessions, although any one of the others listed above are possible candidates.
Produced for release by Scott Wenzel
Executive Producer: Michael Cuscuna
Disc transfers: Andreas Meyer
Mastering and sound restoration: Malcolm Addey
Vault research: Anthony Fountain, Michael Brooks, Scott Wenzel
Special thanks: Ed Berger, Michael Brooks, Han Enderman, Jan Evensmo, Ross Firestone, Will Friedwald, Tad Hershorn, The Institute of Jazz Studies, Steven Lasker, John Leifert, Dan Morgenstern, Vincent Pelote and Lloyd Rauch. We are also indebted to Ken Crilly and Suzanne Eggleston Lovejoy who made it possible to research the Stanley Dance and Helen Oakley Dance papers at the Irving S. Gilmore Music Library of Yale University.
78s provided by Michael Brooks, The Institute of Jazz Studies and Scott Wenzel.
Design Direction: Richard Mantel
Design Production: InkWell, Inc.
This compilation (p) 2007 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT /Manufactured by SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, 550 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022-3211/WARNING All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.
© 2007 Mosaic Records L.L.C., 35 Melrose Place, Stamford, CT 06902. All rights reserved.
Phone: 203-327-7111/Fax 203-323-3526/ Website: www.mosaicrecords.com.
Producer’s Note:
This set contains performances owned by Sony/BMG that Chu Berry recorded as a leader, in addition to the many sessions he participated in as a sideman. Instead of presenting these sideman dates in their entirety (where there may be only a short break, melody statement or no solo at all) we have decided to select the cream of Chu’s solo efforts.
Although the sound quality of these sessions will differ from track to track, we have made every effort to obtain the best possible source, be it the original metal part, lacquer disc, test pressing or commercially released 78. However, extraneous noise which could not be completely eliminated was found with the lacquer disc containing –B of <SC>papa’s in bed with his britches on<XC>.
Where multiple takes occur, we have determined, to best of our ability, the order in which they were recorded.
As for the Red Norvo session of January 25, 1935 on Columbia, this can be found on The Complete Brunswick, Parlophone and Vocalion Bunny Berigan Sessions (Mosaic MD7-219).
The following sources were used for this discography: Hendersonia by Walter C. Allen (self published), The Tenor Saxophone of Leon Chu Berry (Jazz Solography Series Vol.1) by Jan Evensmo (self published), The Jazz Discography by Tom Lord (Cadence Jazz Books), Jazz Records 1897-1942 Sixth Edition by Brian Rust (Storyville).
Scott Wenzel
________________________________________________________________________
Album Index:
12” LPs
CBS SOPH (J) 67 / 68 Billie Holiday Vol. 4
Jazz Archives 8 Penguin Swing 1937-1941
Meritt 10 Various Artists – The Reed Album Vol. 4
Meritt 12 Leon “Chu” Berry
Meritt 21/22 Chu Berry – The Calloway Years
Phontastic (Sd) 7647 Various Artists – Stormy Weather 1933
Rarities RA 26 Putney Dandridge
RCA Victor (G) LPM 10019 Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra 1936
RCA Victor (G) LPM 10024 Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra 1937-1940
________________________________________________________________________
