As Peter Coppock points out, the "Cousins" chart began life in 1956 as "Blues Groove" before eventually becoming "Cousins." It was composed by Herman lead trumpeter John Coppola. But its real origins go back to 1939.
Woody Herman: “Cousins” (comp. John Coppola), November 23, 1963.
Based on Lester Young’s May 19, 1939 solo.
To confuse matters further, in 1967 "Cousins" and Frank Foster's "Tomorrow's Blues Today" appeared on a Herman album called "Woody Live East and West." But the labeling of these two pieces was reversed on the album.
Marc, thank you for remembering yet another great tenor player who passed through Woody’s bands. I can’t believe I’ve never heard “Pennies”. Milt Jackson and Bill Harris get little shots among the vocals. I thought the Mosaic set of a few years ago filled in these gaps in my Woody collection, but I found it lacking. So glad to hear it! “Sonny Speaks” was actually named retroactively for Sonny Berman, the great trumpeter from the First Herd who died tragically from a heroin overdose. Like several charts in Woody’s book, the title changed over time. “Meshugenah” (sp) and “They Went That Away” preceded. “Cousins” suffered a similar fate. It started as “Blues Groove”, then “Kissing Cousins”, finally “Cousins”. Confusing to say the least.
For the one's who follow Bob: The Bob Graf Sessions. Recorded at Westminster College and of Peacock Alley, Freshsound FSR 1616
As Peter Coppock points out, the "Cousins" chart began life in 1956 as "Blues Groove" before eventually becoming "Cousins." It was composed by Herman lead trumpeter John Coppola. But its real origins go back to 1939.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lquUOp9IKrI
Count Basie: “Pound Cake,” May 19, 1939.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp18BTZZ9w4
Woody Herman: “Cousins” (comp. John Coppola), November 23, 1963.
Based on Lester Young’s May 19, 1939 solo.
To confuse matters further, in 1967 "Cousins" and Frank Foster's "Tomorrow's Blues Today" appeared on a Herman album called "Woody Live East and West." But the labeling of these two pieces was reversed on the album.
Great information, Bill. Thanks for the history. As always, jazz refuses to be dull.
Thanks for uncovering this story, Mark!! I was always curious about him.
My pleasure, Loren. Glad you enjoyed.
Marc, thank you for remembering yet another great tenor player who passed through Woody’s bands. I can’t believe I’ve never heard “Pennies”. Milt Jackson and Bill Harris get little shots among the vocals. I thought the Mosaic set of a few years ago filled in these gaps in my Woody collection, but I found it lacking. So glad to hear it! “Sonny Speaks” was actually named retroactively for Sonny Berman, the great trumpeter from the First Herd who died tragically from a heroin overdose. Like several charts in Woody’s book, the title changed over time. “Meshugenah” (sp) and “They Went That Away” preceded. “Cousins” suffered a similar fate. It started as “Blues Groove”, then “Kissing Cousins”, finally “Cousins”. Confusing to say the least.
Thanks Peter. I’ve updated the post.
I think Bob is holding a C Melody sax, not a tenor sax in that earliest picture of him.