Hawaiian War Chant – 1942
Tommy Dorsey
A hot swing number featuring Buddy Rich
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Tommy Dorsey was at the peak of his popularity in 1942 when his orchestra was competing favorably with those of Glenn Miller, Harry James, Gene Krupa, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie.
Dorsey always put on a wide-ranging show with singers (including Frank Sinatra), dance music, ballads, and hot swing.
This version of “Hawaiian War Chant” from the movie Ship Ahoy falls into the hot swing category and is pretty spectacular.
Dorsey begins with a brief version of his theme song “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You” and then his band gets to romp with Don Lodice having a short tenor solo.
The main part of the piece features trumpeter Ziggy Elman and the unbeatable Buddy Rich on drums playing a passionate duet.
-Scott Yanow
Ella Fitzgerald