East St Louis Toodle-OO

The-DukePerhaps only a few esoteric Blues fans will recall this early 1920’s Duke Ellington number.

Except for Big Chris Barber Band fans who will have heard trombonist Bob Hunt’s spectacular arrangement especially for the band.

Here Chris announces East St Louis Toodle-Ou at a recent concert in this, his 65th year as a bandleader and his 60th year leading his own Chris Barber Bands.

East St Louis Toodle-Oo 

Duke Ellington & His Kentucky Club Orchestra first recorded East St Louis Toodle-Oo in New York way back on March 14th, 1927.

ChrisBarber-SoloOnStage

Chris Barber

Bob-Hunt

Bob “Ironside” Hunt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top row, left to right: Chris Barber, Bob Hunt, Mike Henry, Peter Rudeforth, Richard Exall Bottom row, left to right: Amy Roberts, Bert Brandsma, Joe Farler, Jackie Flavelle, Gregor Beck

Top row, left to right: Chris Barber, Bob Hunt, Mike Henry, Peter Rudeforth, Richard Exall
Bottom row, left to right: Amy Roberts, Bert Brandsma, Joe Farler, Jackie Flavelle, Gregor Beck

 Be sure to visit The Duke Ellington Songbook to learn more of that glorious era recaptured so successfully by The Big Chris Barber Band.

Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor
Jazz & Jazz

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Comments

  1. niels eilskov says:

    Wonderful to hear the two versions – thanks for posting Peter.

  2. Peter Butler says:

    Couldn’t resist it, Niels. Glad you enjoyed it, Makes it all so worth while.

  3. Marion Aitken says:

    Every time I play this tune I decide it’s my favourite but then so is the next…. and the next. I’ve enjoyed 64 years of favourites, travelling all over the country to see the band, often with my parents who also loved Chris’s music. He played for me several times, the last being my 70th and my Mother’s 100th birthday a couple of weeks before Pat Halcox retired.

  4. Peter Butler says:

    Wonderful memories, Marion. I was privileged to spend time in a lengthy conversation with Chris not so long ago. Bob Thomas, a very close friend now sadly passed away contributed this feature to Jazz&Jazz about Pat Halcox https://www.jazzandjazz.com/2013/02/remembering-pat-halcox/ .

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