Fats, the Count and Christian in the spotlight

23rd November 2015   ·   0 Comments

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer

“The Fat Man” Enjoys Immortality in the Grammy Hall of Fame

“They call, they call me the fat man,” sang 21-year-old Antoine “Fats” Domino in Cosimo Matassa’s J&M Recording Studio on December 10, 1949. The tune, titled “The Fat Man,” which was written by Domino and producer Dave Bartholomew, would go on to become the first of many, many hits for this legendary, New Orleans team. It has been announced that in 2016 “The Fat Man,” a compelling 2:43 minute, 45 rpm single on the Imperial label, will be among 26 record inductees in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

“The Fat Man” was pianist and vocalist Domino’s debut record yet it already stood complete with what would become his and producer/composer Bartholomew’s musical signatures. Its beauty is in its simplicity with Domino’s rollicking two-handed piano style backed by a solid, jazz-wise band with drummer Earl Palmer, bassist Frank Fields, saxophonists Alvin “Red” Tyler and Herb Hardesty. Setting it off in a most New Orleans way was the catchy, repeated chorus, “Wah wah wah, wah wah…” A gem.

Two of trumpeter/vocalist Louis Armstrong’s recordings will also be Grammy inductees in 2016. They include the Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra’s 1929 single on the Okeh label “(What Did I Do To Be So) Black and Blue” and his collaboration with vocalist Ella Fitzgerald on 1956’s Verve album Ella and Louis.

These New Orleans natives are in good company in the 2016 Grammy selections that are determined by “historical significance.” The recordings also must be at least 25 years old. Other inductees include saxophone giant John Coltrane’s 1961 album Lush Life, blues legend John Lee Hooker’s 1962 single “Boom Boom,” soul vocalist James Carr’s 1967 45 rpm “Dark End of the Street” and vocalist Roberta Flack’s 1969 album First Take.

The Count Basie Orchestra
A Very Swingin’ Basie Christmas
(Concord Records)

For fans of holiday music and big band jazz with New Orleans connections, A Very Swingin’ Basie Christmas fits the bill. The Count Basie Orchestra, which for 50 years was led by the legendary pianist and composer Count Basie, celebrates it 80th anniversary with its surprisingly first Yuletide album. Now led by trumpeter and arranger Scotty Barnhart, the ensemble maintains the signature Basie sound and swing on classics and calls in guests including three New Orleans natives – pianist Ellis Marsalis, saxophonist Plas Adams and vocalist Ledisi.

Just as Basie’s band was and is recognizable by its style, when Marsalis introduces “Let It Snow” with a piano solo, it’s all him. Marsalis brings a certain elegance and simplicity to the classic that is in stark contrast to the booming horns that enter to play the melody. The arranger gives the pianist lots of room to improvise and make the tune more of his own.

Marsalis is back to close out the disc on what at first is a quiet take on “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” When the array of saxophones, trumpets and trombones jump in and the tempo quickens it’s rather startling though they and the piano harmoniously meet in the groove. Saxophonist Plas Johnson, a Donaldsonville, Louisiana native who decades ago was on the New Orleans music scene, kicks in a gritty, modern jazz solo that tonally seems to speak of his local roots. Unfortunately, Johnson’s tenor was added later so he and Marsalis didn’t have the opportunity to actually play together.

Ledisi, a nine-time Grammy nominee who grew up in New Orleans before moving to California, performs a rather surprisingly straight-up version of “The Christmas Song,” though of course she does it with soulfulness. A fine saxophone solo also enhances the selection.

The title of the disc, A Very Swingin’ Basie Christmas, tells it all and it’s made possible by a big band full of solid musicians.

Heads Up – Get ‘Em While
You Can

The good news is that the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation will present a free concert by New Orleans trumpeter Christian Scott on Saturday, December 12, 2015. The not so good news is that it’s imperative to act fast to get a ticket. The 8 p.m. show sold out in no time. Tickets for the 10 p.m. concert will be made available online only on Monday, November 23 starting at 10 a.m. The link is www.eventbrite.com/e/christian-scott. If you don’t have access to the web, ask a friend or family member to jump on it for you.

The hugely talented Grammy-nominated trumpeter and composer is riding high off of his latest, forward-reaching album, Stretch Music. Scott uses the term “stretch music” not only as the title of his release but also as a conceptual description of the direction of his music. It, in other words, is like an elastic band that expands while still being attached to its origin.

Some of the same musicians heard on the disc and who performed at the 2015 Jazz & Heritage Festival will be on hand for the December 12 show. Notably that will include flautist Elena Pinderhughes who impressed many in the Jazz Tent with her talents. Also joining Scott will be bassist Max Moran, guitarist Dominic Minix, drummer Corey Fonville, and pianist Lawrence Fields.

This article originally published in the November 23, 2015 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.