Blind Willie Dunn's Gin Bottle Four - Jet Black Blues (1929)

Performed by: Blind Willie Dunn's Gin Bottle Four
Vocalist: Hoagy Carmichael
Full Song Title: Jet Black Blues
Recorded in: May 1st, 1929 New York, New York
B-Side: Coming soon..
Personnel:
Blind Willie Dunn (leader)
Gin Bottle Four (Musical group)
Hoagy Carmichael (drums)
J. C. Johnson (piano)
Lonnie Johnson (guitar)
Eddie Lang (guitar)
King Oliver (cornet)
Blind Willie Dunn, was a pseudonym of the American Jazz guitarist, Eddie Lang.
Eddie Lang, born Salvatore Massaro on October 25, 1902, - died on March 26, 1933, left an indelible mark on the world of music, particularly as a pioneering figure in jazz guitar. His contributions during the 1920s elevated the guitar from a background instrument to a prominent solo, ensemble, and accompaniment tool, reshaping its role in bands and orchestras.
Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Lang, the son of an Italian-American instrument maker, started his musical journey on the violin at the age of seven. His initial foray into the music scene involved performing on the violin in a trio in 1917. However, his musical trajectory shifted in 1920 when he transitioned to the banjo and collaborated with various artists, including Charlie Kerr, Bert Estlow, Vic D'Ippolito, and Billy Lustig's Scranton Siren Orchestra.
The pivotal moment in Lang's career came when he embraced the guitar and joined the Mound City Blue Blowers led by Red McKenzie. Notably, his 1924 recording of "Deep 2nd Street Blues" marked one of the first guitar solos in jazz. Lang's association with McKenzie's band drew widespread attention, opening doors for him as a sought-after freelance guitarist. Prior to Lang's influence, the guitar had not held a significant role in jazz bands and dance orchestras.
Lang's collaborations extended to renowned musicians such as Lonnie Johnson, Joe Venuti, Roger Wolfe Kahn, Jean Goldkette, and the Adrian Rollini Orchestra. Under the pseudonym Blind Willie Dunn, Lang and Venuti recorded with blues guitarist Lonnie Johnson, concealing their identities as a nod to the legendary Blind Lemon Jefferson.
A significant chapter in Lang's career unfolded when he and Joe Venuti joined the Paul Whiteman Orchestra in 1929. Lang's rapid song-learning abilities caught the attention of Whiteman, despite his limited formal education and inability to read music. This period also marked the beginning of Lang's enduring friendship with vocalist Bing Crosby.
Lang's entry into Crosby's professional circle further solidified during the Whiteman Orchestra's trip to Hollywood for the film "King of Jazz." In 1930, when Crosby embarked on a radio career, he insisted on having Lang as his accompanist. Lang, known for his accompaniment skills and prior experience with vocalists like Rube Bloom, became a staple in Crosby's orchestra.
Aside from his professional collaborations, Lang's personal life intertwined with Crosby's through their wives' friendship. Lang's wife, Kitty, a Ziegfeld girl, shared a close bond with Crosby's wife, Dixie. This camaraderie extended to Lang regularly accompanying Crosby and sitting beside him during performances.
Tragically, Lang's promising career was cut short by health challenges. Battling occasional laryngitis, chronic sore throat, and digestion issues, he succumbed to a tonsillectomy in 1933, entering Park West Hospital in Manhattan and never waking up from the surgery. At the age of thirty, Lang left an irreplaceable void in the music world. The cause of his death remains uncertain, and he found his final resting place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania. Eddie Lang's legacy endures as the father of jazz guitar, a pioneer who reshaped the instrument's role in the landscape of jazz and popular music.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.
Best wishes,
Stu
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Please Note: I do not claim copyright or ownership of the song played in this video. All copyrighted content remains property of their respective owners.

[@guillermopena5656]

Excelente que temazo hermoso blues

[@markselsor6048]

Thank you for this posting ! Django Reinhardt credited Eddie Lang as a key influence. Also, this group is said to be one of the first integrated bands of the period. Informative liner notes are great ! Two fine duets ( Eddie Lang & Lonnie Johnson) all may enjoy are Midnight Call and Blue Room Blues. oxo.

[@richardfehlmann4593]

Thank you for these nice wishes for the new year 🎉👌😀 Happy and Lovely New Year to you too 🤞🥳 Wonderful upload, joyous scenes from New York from the former 20ies 👍🏻😊 That was a beautiful start for me into the New Year 🤞

[@alandesouzacruz5124]

Eddie Lang and Django reinhardt my favorites jazz guitarrists

[@jannetjebicker4648]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful music and movie scenes ! Wishing you a very Happy New Year! 👍🙂🥳🥂🍀🎊

[@jackiekotry177]

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