A Trumbauer Discovery? A correction to another error by Hans Eekhoff

October 26th, 2009, 7:57 pm #1 2009-10-26T19:57

A few days ago, Hans Eekhoff announced in the Bix Yahoo group, "A Trumbauer Discovery!" Surprisingly, nobody in the group realized that the recording mentioned in Eekhoffs claim of "A Trumbauer Discovery!" has been known for at least a decade.

Here is exactly what Eekhoff wrote.

In his posting in

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/bi ... ssage/3066

Eekhoff claims a "Trumbauer discovery!"

Last week I replaced my worn copy of Brunswick 6093 which couples Duke Ellington's "Creole Rhapsody" Parts 1 and 2 - or so I thought!
Actually, on this new copy, "Creole Rhapsody" Part 2 actually plays an alternate take of "Honeysuckle Rose" by Frank Trumbauer's Orchestra, recorded on 24 June 1931.
Not only is this alternate take a much faster version of the tune but the vocal chorus is by Tram himself - unlike on the regular take which is sung by Art Jarrett!

In a follow-up posting,

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/bi ... ssage/3069

Eekhoff writes

As soon as I am in Holland (mid November) I will upload the sound file.
However, you can already hear this alternate take on the Red Hot Jazz website.
Nobody has noticed Tram's vocal though, and this take is not in Rust.
Hans

Here is what is known about the version of "Honeysuckle Rose" with a vocal by Trumbauer. 

Trumbauer recorded the Fats Waller tune Honeysuckle Rose in Chicago on two occasions, April 10, 1931 and June 24, 1931. 

What Eekhoff claimed to be an alternate take recorded on 24 June 1931 is the recording of April 10, 1931, and as noted by Eekhoff, it is available in the redhotjazz archive at

http://www.redhotjazz.com/songs/tram/Ho ... leRose.ram

The June 24, 1931 is also available in the redhotjazz site, see

http://www.redhotjazz.com/songs/tram/Ho ... eRose2.ram

Contrary to what Eekhoff states, the recording is listed in Rusts Jazz discography (2002 edition) and FT (Frank Trumbauer) is specified as the vocalist in the April 10, 1931 recording. The matrix number is C-7695- (unspecified take). The second recording of the tune is from June 24, 1931 matrix number C-7880-A with AJ (Art Jarrett) as vocalist, also listed in Rust.

Evans and Kiner have a listing of the April 10, 1931 recording. There were three takes. They write, 10-78 Brunswick 6093 (released 14 May 1931) The Brunswick files do not indicate which matrix/take was issued. The selection was issued on Brunswick 6093 on the West Coast, but then it was recalled and Brunswick 6093 was assigned to Duke Ellingtons Creole Rhapsody parts 1 and 2.

Richard Sudhalter writes in the liners for volume 3 of the TOM Trumbauer set of CDs, Only one of the three titles made at this date [Georgia on My Mind, Bass Drum Dan, and Honeysuckle Rose], the novelty Bass Drum Dan, was issued at the time. But Honeysuckle Rose has now appeared [Liners were written in 1996; the CDs were issued in Feb 1997], and sheds light on Trams improvisation methods. Its a paraphrase, using elements of the Fats Walller melody to construct what is in effect a new son, more chromatic, atmospherically reminiscent of Singin the Blues. As the remake, done in June at an even slower tempo (quarter note = 1/24 to the earlier quarter note = 1/44), confirms it was carefully routined, even composed. Any difference between the two is largely one of habituation: both the outline and inner structure of this small essay are set, solidified.
The vocalist on the earlier version is Trumbauer himself. He seems have never to have taken his singing too seriously. Filling in on record dates when a contract singer either wasnt available or didnt show up. But his vocals are in their way quite effective: his bantering treatment of Andy Razalf Honeysuckle lyric comes across more convincingly than Art Jarrets Crosby mannerisms on the June 24 version. 
In the discography for the CD, Sudhalter writes,
2. Honeysuckle Rose Chicago, 4/10/31, Matrix C-7695-A, mis-issued on Br 6093 (West coast only). Vocal refrain by Frank Trumbauer & the King Jesters.
8. Honeysuckle Rose Chicago, 6/24/31, Matrix C7880-A, Br 6159, Vocal refrain by Art Jarrett & The King Jesters.

We are not dealing with a new discovery but with a recording that has been known for at least 10 years: it has been available for quite some time both on the redhotjazz archive (links given above) and in vol 3 of Trams CD, The Old Masters MB109. Moreover, the version of Honeysuckle Rose with Tram on vocal has been available in WBIX 113 since Jan 2005. I clearly stated that the vocal is by Frank himself. 

Albert Haim

October 27th, 2009, 4:35 pm #2 2009-10-27T16:35

ebay item # 120468962309%26

Here is the description of the item.
<h2></h2>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td colspan="4"><h1>**********************************</h1><h1>Ellington/Trumbauer Brunswick 6093 Error Pressing RARE</h1></td></tr><tr><td height="10" colspan="4"></td></tr><tr><td>Item condition:</td><td colspan="3">--</td></tr><tr><td height="10" colspan="4"></td></tr><tr><td>Ended:</td><td colspan="3">Sep 20, 200914:32:00 PDT</td></tr><tr><td height="10" colspan="4"></td></tr><tr><td>Bid history:</td><td colspan="3">7 bids</td></tr><tr><td height="10" colspan="4"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"></td></tr><tr><td>Winning bid:</td><td>US $121.00</td><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"></td></tr></table>

Creole Rhapsody (part 1) / Honeysuckle Rose

Side A is Duke Ellington (as The Jungle Band) playing "Creole Rhapsody" recorded January 20, 1931.

Side B is actually Frankie Trumbauer and his Orchestra playing "Honeysuckle Rose" (although the label says Duke Ellington's "Creole Rhapsody part 2"). According to Rust's Jazz Records (4th edition), Trumbauer recorded "Honeysuckle Rose" twice: the April 10, 1931 version was (supposedly) unissued on 78, and the June 24, 1931 version was issued on Brunswick 6159. No matrix number is shown on the record. I'm guessing this is the alternate version, recorded April 10, 1931.

E condition.

*******************************************************************

Now read Eekhoff's misrepresentation in his "Discovery" posting.

"Last week I replaced my worn copy of Brunswick 6093 which couples Duke Ellington's "Creole Rhapsody" Parts 1 and 2 - or so I thought!
Actually, on this new copy, "Creole Rhapsody" Part 2 actually plays an alternate take of "Honeysuckle Rose" by Frank Trumbauer's Orchestra, recorded on 24 June 1931."

Eekhoff claims that he thought he was replacing his copy of Brunswick 6093. As he was the high bidder for this item, he knew darn well that the record he won did not have "Creole Rhapsody" Parts 1 and 2. As clearly stated by the ebay seller of this item, it was "Ellington/Trumbauer Brunswick 6093 Error Pressing RARE" "Side B is actually Frankie Trumbauer and his Orchestra playing "Honeysuckle Rose" (although the label says Duke Ellington's "Creole Rhapsody part 2"). 

Another example of Eekhoff's falsifications and misrepresentaions designed to soothe his insatiable ego.

Albert Haim

PS More errors from Eekhoff. In his posting in the Yahoo Bix group, 

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/bi ... ssage/3081

Eekhoff writes, "Sudhalter on the other hand didn't listen carefully - according to Haim he
mentions Tram AND the "King Jesters" (plural; or is this one of Haim's usual
mis-spellings?) for this take, and Art Jarrett AND the "King Jesters" for the
regular take. This is nonsense of course, there is only one vocalist per side."

It is, of course, Eekhoff who writes nonsense. Listen to the two versions in the redhotjazz page and you will hear that both Frank Trumbauer and Art Jarrett are accompanied by the King's Jesters, John Ravenscroft, Ira Barstow, George Howard.

October 28th, 2009, 11:26 am #3 2009-10-28T11:26

A few days ago, Hans Eekhoff announced in the Bix Yahoo group, "A Trumbauer Discovery!" Surprisingly, nobody in the group realized that the recording mentioned in Eekhoffs claim of "A Trumbauer Discovery!" has been known for at least a decade.

Here is exactly what Eekhoff wrote.

In his posting in

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/bi ... ssage/3066

Eekhoff claims a "Trumbauer discovery!"

Last week I replaced my worn copy of Brunswick 6093 which couples Duke Ellington's "Creole Rhapsody" Parts 1 and 2 - or so I thought!
Actually, on this new copy, "Creole Rhapsody" Part 2 actually plays an alternate take of "Honeysuckle Rose" by Frank Trumbauer's Orchestra, recorded on 24 June 1931.
Not only is this alternate take a much faster version of the tune but the vocal chorus is by Tram himself - unlike on the regular take which is sung by Art Jarrett!

In a follow-up posting,

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/bi ... ssage/3069

Eekhoff writes

As soon as I am in Holland (mid November) I will upload the sound file.
However, you can already hear this alternate take on the Red Hot Jazz website.
Nobody has noticed Tram's vocal though, and this take is not in Rust.
Hans

Here is what is known about the version of "Honeysuckle Rose" with a vocal by Trumbauer. 

Trumbauer recorded the Fats Waller tune Honeysuckle Rose in Chicago on two occasions, April 10, 1931 and June 24, 1931. 

What Eekhoff claimed to be an alternate take recorded on 24 June 1931 is the recording of April 10, 1931, and as noted by Eekhoff, it is available in the redhotjazz archive at

http://www.redhotjazz.com/songs/tram/Ho ... leRose.ram

The June 24, 1931 is also available in the redhotjazz site, see

http://www.redhotjazz.com/songs/tram/Ho ... eRose2.ram

Contrary to what Eekhoff states, the recording is listed in Rusts Jazz discography (2002 edition) and FT (Frank Trumbauer) is specified as the vocalist in the April 10, 1931 recording. The matrix number is C-7695- (unspecified take). The second recording of the tune is from June 24, 1931 matrix number C-7880-A with AJ (Art Jarrett) as vocalist, also listed in Rust.

Evans and Kiner have a listing of the April 10, 1931 recording. There were three takes. They write, 10-78 Brunswick 6093 (released 14 May 1931) The Brunswick files do not indicate which matrix/take was issued. The selection was issued on Brunswick 6093 on the West Coast, but then it was recalled and Brunswick 6093 was assigned to Duke Ellingtons Creole Rhapsody parts 1 and 2.

Richard Sudhalter writes in the liners for volume 3 of the TOM Trumbauer set of CDs, Only one of the three titles made at this date [Georgia on My Mind, Bass Drum Dan, and Honeysuckle Rose], the novelty Bass Drum Dan, was issued at the time. But Honeysuckle Rose has now appeared [Liners were written in 1996; the CDs were issued in Feb 1997], and sheds light on Trams improvisation methods. Its a paraphrase, using elements of the Fats Walller melody to construct what is in effect a new son, more chromatic, atmospherically reminiscent of Singin the Blues. As the remake, done in June at an even slower tempo (quarter note = 1/24 to the earlier quarter note = 1/44), confirms it was carefully routined, even composed. Any difference between the two is largely one of habituation: both the outline and inner structure of this small essay are set, solidified.
The vocalist on the earlier version is Trumbauer himself. He seems have never to have taken his singing too seriously. Filling in on record dates when a contract singer either wasnt available or didnt show up. But his vocals are in their way quite effective: his bantering treatment of Andy Razalf Honeysuckle lyric comes across more convincingly than Art Jarrets Crosby mannerisms on the June 24 version. 
In the discography for the CD, Sudhalter writes,
2. Honeysuckle Rose Chicago, 4/10/31, Matrix C-7695-A, mis-issued on Br 6093 (West coast only). Vocal refrain by Frank Trumbauer & the King Jesters.
8. Honeysuckle Rose Chicago, 6/24/31, Matrix C7880-A, Br 6159, Vocal refrain by Art Jarrett & The King Jesters.

We are not dealing with a new discovery but with a recording that has been known for at least 10 years: it has been available for quite some time both on the redhotjazz archive (links given above) and in vol 3 of Trams CD, The Old Masters MB109. Moreover, the version of Honeysuckle Rose with Tram on vocal has been available in WBIX 113 since Jan 2005. I clearly stated that the vocal is by Frank himself. 

Albert Haim

It is clear that Hans Eekhoff has lost touch with reality. In his last mass mailing (which is also available in the yahoo Bix discussion group, message # 3098), Eekhoff asserts,

"On top of that, my discovery of the unknown Trumbauer (yes, MY discovery) even though already noticed, years ago, by a few others (not you or Evans by the way) brought the side to the attention of many who hadn't heard about it before."

Eekhoff uses capital letters to emphasize that the April 10, 1931 recording of Trumbauer's "Honeysuckle Rose" is his discovery of an "unknown" Trumbauer. That is a ludicrous and false claim. 

In order to rectify this, I point out that the the existence of the recording and the assignment of Tram as the vocalist has been known for at least a decade in the jazz literature. Three sources have established this fact.

- The liners in the Old Masters CD, MB109 from 1997.
- Rust's listing in the 2002 edition of his jazz discography
- Tom Lord in version 3.3 of his discography
.
In addition the recording is listed in the redhotjazz site and a music file has been available for years. Moreover, Evans and Kiner list the recording in their Tram biography.

How can any rational person claim that he discovered this recording when five independent sources have provided details about it for several years is beyond me.

There has been some question about the identity of the King's Jesters. These were three musicians who were with Paul Whiteman for a couple of years beginning in 1930 and then had an independent career with additional musicans. Rust's Dance Band disco lists half a dozen recordings of the King's Jesters with Whiteman.

Albert

Michael Steinman · October 29th, 2009, 1:44 am #4 2009-10-29T01:44

I don't have the date of the issue, but this 78 came out on a vinyl issue on one of Jerry Valburn's Meritt vinyl records, which probably pre-dated the TOM CD by five years or more. That's where I first heard it!

October 29th, 2009, 11:02 am #5 2009-10-29T11:02

.... Merit # 24. I believe the year was 1987. The title of the LP was "Jazz Potpourri, vol 2 - 1925-1933." It included tracks by Red Nichols, Fletcher Henderson, Frank Trumbauer, Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington, perhaps others. Jerry Walburn was (is?) a huge Duke Ellington fan. Jerry is mentioned in the fabulous Mosaic set on the Complete OKeh and Brunswick Bix Beiderbecke, Frank Trumbauer and Jack Teagarden Sessions. In the acknowldegment section you will find the following sentence, "Special thanks to Arcade Books, Pat Corcoran, Joe Giordano, Vince Giordano, Albert Haim, Jeff Healey, Tad Hershorn, Hank ONeal, Randy Sandke, Phil Schaap, Jerry Valburn and Art Zimmerman."

I don't have the LP. Do you (or anyone)? What information does it provide about the "Honeysuckle Rose" Trumbauer recording of April 10, 1931?

Albert

Michael Steinman · October 29th, 2009, 2:07 pm #6 2009-10-29T14:07

Albert, I was sad to find that I no longer have the lp -- sic transit gloria mundi and all that -- but I recall that the notes said it was an "error pressing" found on the other side of what was assumed to be an Ellington Brunswick. Finding this version of HONEYSUCKLE ROSE is a very happy error indeed!

October 29th, 2009, 3:10 pm #7 2009-10-29T15:10

I may try one of the jazz discussion groups.

Albert

Forum Owner

Will Severns · October 29th, 2009, 4:50 pm #8 2009-10-29T16:50

Hi Albert,
I susbscribed to the Merritt Series. I have been thinking about selling the set but fortunately have not dones so yet.
On the back of the jacket is a listing that says "FRANKIE TRUMBAUER and HIS ORCHESTRA
mx C 7695 A or B, Honeysuckle Rose (Error pressing Creole Thapsody, Pt.II, 10 Apr 1931, Chicago (Brunswick 6093) From the collection of Jerry Valburn."
The notes on the inside read as follows:
"Frankie Trumbauer and His Orchestra 10 Apr 1931 Chicago (Brunswick 6093)
Frankie Trumbauer,Cmsax,as;Nat Natoli,t;Bill Rank,tb;Rosy McHargue,clt,as;Matty Malneck,vn;Dave Rose,p;John Tobin,bjo;Dan Gaybe,b; Bob Sonselman,d; Frankie Trumbauer,vcl;This version is found only on error pressings of Duke Ellington's 'Creole Rhapsody,Pt.2' It is a welcome change from the issued version with Jarrett's poor vocal. Trumbauer's singing is as languid as his saxophone tone is liquid."
One of the selling points of this series was that Jerry Valburn would release only previously unissed material, although I believe there were times when this was inaccurate.
Hope this is helpful. WLS

Linda · October 29th, 2009, 5:06 pm #9 2009-10-29T17:06

I may try one of the jazz discussion groups.

Albert

Forum Owner

I have Merritt lp #24 and I scanned Jerry Valburn's notes and the label which I think looks neat:

October 29th, 2009, 9:13 pm #10 2009-10-29T21:13

I am amazed (and grateful) by forumites' extreme generosity: they share their "goodies" for all to read, listen, learn, and enjoy.

Albert