Sweet and Low Down--Paul Whiteman and His Orch., 1925

From 12/24/1925, a brilliant Ferde Grofe arrangement of the Ira and George Gershwin classic, "Sweet and Low-Down." Another blow to the deathless claim that Whiteman never played "real" jazz prior to the introduction of big-name studio guys like Beiderbecke, Red Nichols, et al.

[@jamisondonald384]

Inspector Gadget!
This appears to be in the public domain, too, and is ripe for sampling

[@johns.4708]

Yes, jazz... pre-Bix, albeit stylized, all elements are here, improv licks in between Grofe's fantastic arrangement- they didn't sound written out- or were they?

[@savio807]

That's the big question, and it would help (needless to say) if we could hear the various takes. (This was number 5, I think.) But I tend to think the soloists mentally worked out a general scheme in advance of the recording date. For ex., there were at least two takes released for the PW "Side by Side," and Red Nichols provides excellent 8-bar solos which differ between the takes, but at the same time, seem like variations on the same plan. Having the original scores would help! As in, did Grofe simply leave eight bars blank with the indication, "Solo spot"?