A few mysteries here. I have no idea who June Barton or Emil Coleman were. Probably just another sweet hotel outfit. Also, the images are flipped for some reason, so everything is backward. This becomes apparent when you see Coleman run his hand up the piano when what you hear is him running his hand down the keys. I don't know who "P.R." is on the drums. Just one of thousands of bands in the swing era that went nowhere but was somewhere for a brief moment...
Of course, to hear how this song was done right, here's Benny Goodman in 1945...
"Russian born Emil Coleman led a popular New York City society band. He formed his band in the early 1920s and was performing at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel as late as 1958."
source: http://www.dismuke.org/how/prev4-04.html
Posted by: jeff helgesen | June 30, 2011 at 09:08 AM
Hi Marc --
This is a fantastic post, once again. Thanks for reminding us of "Gotta Be This Or That". -- Slam Stewart was with Benny at this time, and on this very recording.
He is the one who sang the phrase "Gotta Be This Or That". I know it, because he sang it to me in person.
Well, it's for the very first time I can tell this little personal story:
Slam was the member of an all-star swing group who toured Europe in the early 1980's: "The Great Eight", featuring Buddy Tate, Billy Butterfield, Johnny Mince, Tal Farlow, Red Norvo, Teddy Wilson, Slam, and Sam Woodyard.
I went backstage after the concert, and talked to the swinging greats. -- Each of them gave me his autograph in George T. Simon's book "The Big Bands". -- It was great fun, hearing the original performer sing the famous phrase quasi directly into my ear. Alas, I can't remember if it was the left, or the right ear.
Anyway, gotta be this or that. ;)
P.S. -- Feel free to click on my name for a very special anniversary.
Posted by: Bruno Leicht | June 30, 2011 at 06:46 PM
2nd P.S. -- The above comment wouldn't make sense 'cause the UTuber hasn't posted the full version of "Gotta Be This Or That".
It can be heard here now, transferred directly from a very old 10", Benny Goodman Dance Parade:
http://www.divshare.com/download/15212332-49d
The 2nd part (where you had to turn around the disc in 1945) starts with Slam, then comes Red Norvo with a very percussive solo. "Get it Red, get it!", little chat with Benny, over and out.
Posted by: Bruno Leicht | July 01, 2011 at 06:46 AM
If you check the writing on the photo in this link, it appears that Emil Coleman's "P.R." drummer may have been named "Phil Rule".
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xas7nb_emil-coleman-riviera-orchestra-an-e_music
For Love of The Music,
Ed Frank
Posted by: Ed Frank | July 01, 2011 at 06:00 PM
Like the blog, appreciate the share!
Posted by: Annamarie | February 24, 2012 at 08:50 AM