Jack Armstrong Blues – 1951

Jack Teagarden

The great trombonist leads a hot band through an uptempo blues

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Jack Teagarden (1905-64) was arguably the top jazz trombonist to mature before the bebop era.

A superb soloist and a very good blues singer, Teagarden sometimes would play a blues on his trombone by just blowing into the slide and using an empty water glass as a mute.

On this Snader transcription, Teagarden (after emerging from the bar) does just that during his first solo.

“Jack Armstrong Blues” was originally recorded as a V-Disc with Louis Armstrong and the two recorded a classic rendition in 1946.

This version of the medium-tempo blues, in addition to Teagarden, has fine solos from pianist Marvin Ash, tenor-saxophonist Pud Brown, clarinetist Don Bonnee, Jack’s younger brother Charlie Teagarden on trumpet, and drummer Ray Bauduc with altoist Heinie Beau and bassist Ray Leatherwood also in the band.

-Scott Yanow

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