Studies in Swing
Encyclopedia
The Studies in Swing are a series of four 78 rpm record
s released individually in 1927, on Parlophone
.
The titles are:
On each of the records, the A side is the same four-piece rhythm section
, backing a soloist, and the B side is the rhythm section without the soloist. The rhythm section is:
On the A sides of numbers 1 and 3, the soloist is Nat Gonella
on trumpet
.
On numbers 2 and 4 the A side soloist is Freddy Gardner
. On both of these recordings, Garder plays first alto and then tenor sax
, swapping during Norman's piano solo.
On all four recordings, Norman plays a piano solo on both sides, in fact other than the absence of the solo instrument the two sides are identical. They are of course different performances however. In 1927, the state of the art of sound recording was such that the artists could not even hear their performance played back until production of the first pressing of the record, by which time release of the record as pressed was almost inevitable on economic grounds. The option of different mix
es from the same session just did not exist.
Except for the one-bar introduction to Tiger Rag, there are no drum solo passages, and no solos at all by guitar or bass.
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
s released individually in 1927, on Parlophone
Parlophone
Parlophone is a record label that was founded in Germany in 1896 by the Carl Lindström Company as Parlophon. The British branch was formed in 1923 as "Parlophone" which developed a reputation in the 1920s as a leading jazz label. It was acquired in 1927 by the Columbia Graphophone Company which...
.
The titles are:
- Studies in Swing No.1: Tiger RagTiger Rag"Tiger Rag" is a jazz standard, originally recorded and copyrighted by the Original Dixieland Jass Band in 1917. It is one of the most recorded jazz compositions of all time.-Origins:...
. - Studies in Swing No.2: The Japanese SandmanThe Japanese SandmanThe Japanese Sandman is a song from 1920, composed by Richard A. Whiting and with lyrics by Raymond B. Egan.-Content:The song is about a sandman from Japan, who exchanges yesterdays for tomorrows...
. - Studies in Swing No.3: When You're SmilingWhen You're Smiling"When You're Smiling" is a song by Larry Shay, Mark Fisher, and Joe Goodwin , and made famous by Louis Armstrong, who recorded it at least three times, in 1929, 1932, and 1956...
. - Studies in Swing No.4: Baby Won't You Please Come Home.
On each of the records, the A side is the same four-piece rhythm section
Rhythm section
A rhythm section is a collection of musicians who make up a section of instruments which provides the accompaniment section of the music, giving the music its rhythmic texture and pulse, also serving as a rhythmic reference for the rest of the band...
, backing a soloist, and the B side is the rhythm section without the soloist. The rhythm section is:
- Cecil Norman (pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
). - Albert Harris (guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
). - Jock Jacobson (drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
). - Dick Escott (bassDouble bassThe double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
).
On the A sides of numbers 1 and 3, the soloist is Nat Gonella
Nat Gonella
Nathaniel Charles Gonella was an English jazz trumpeter, bandleader, vocalist and mellophonist born in London, perhaps most notable for his work with the big band he founded, The Georgians....
on trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
.
On numbers 2 and 4 the A side soloist is Freddy Gardner
Freddy Gardner
Frederick James "Freddy" Gardner was a leading British jazz and dance band musician during the 1930s and 1940s....
. On both of these recordings, Garder plays first alto and then tenor sax
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, swapping during Norman's piano solo.
On all four recordings, Norman plays a piano solo on both sides, in fact other than the absence of the solo instrument the two sides are identical. They are of course different performances however. In 1927, the state of the art of sound recording was such that the artists could not even hear their performance played back until production of the first pressing of the record, by which time release of the record as pressed was almost inevitable on economic grounds. The option of different mix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
es from the same session just did not exist.
Except for the one-bar introduction to Tiger Rag, there are no drum solo passages, and no solos at all by guitar or bass.