Hootie’s Blues – 1974
Jay McShann
A revival of a song from the McShann big band’s first session
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Jay McShann (1916-2006) led one of the great Kansas City jazz big bands during 1940-44, an orchestra that became most famous for including the young Charlie Parker.
McShann was always a superb swing and blues pianist and an excellent singer although in those early days Walter Brown took the vocals.
In 1974, an all-star band was assembled to celebrate the legacy of the Jay McShann big band.
“Hootie Blues” was originally performed at the initial recording session by the McShann orchestra on April 30, 1941.
It was arranged by Charlie Parker who had a one-chorus solo and featured a Walter Brown vocal along with a lot of ensemble riffing.
In 1974 McShann is featured as the singer, plays a bit of piano and has Sonny Stitt in Charlie Parker’s place; the orchestra also includes such notables as trumpeter Red Rodney and tenor-saxophonist Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis.
-Scott Yanow
