A Bit Of Jazz – 1921
The Van Eps Trio
A major historic find
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While Al Jolson’s The Jazz Singer (1927) is considered the first sound movie despite much of it actually being partly a silent film.
Some experimental short films, including a great Ben Bernie band short from 1925 and the duo of singer Noble Sissle and pianist Eubie Blake (plus Blake playing one song without Sissle) from 1923, pre-date The Jazz Singer.
Long mentioned but only recently showing up on You Tube (thanks to trombonist-violinist Dan Weinstein) is a clip from 1921 featuring the Van Eps Trio.
Fred Van Eps (1878-1960), the father of guitarist George Van Eps, was a major banjoist, particularly during the 1897-1925 period, making many recordings including some of ragtime although he never quite crossed over into improvised jazz.
During 1912-22, he often recorded and performed with the Van Eps Trio, a group also including altoist Nathan Glantz and pianist Frank Banta.
In what may very well be the earliest of all jazz-related sound films, the Van Eps Trio (with Glantz sticking to the melody) performs “The Love Nest,” “Japanese Sandman,” “Whispering,” and “Swanee.”
The music is melodic and still sounds lively, and the film itself is quite historic.
-Scott Yanow
