Music Monday – West End Blues

West End Blues is one of the most famous recordings in the history of jazz for the following reasons:

1. Armstrong’s introduction showed how dazzling his skills as a trumpeter were;
2. he laid the groundwork for jazz soloists to be considered true artists, the same as musicians in other styles of music and;
3. the recording introduced Earl Hines as the first real jazz pianist, who was Armstrong’s equal in creative musical thought.

Activity: Follow the outline below of West End Blues.

1. Trumpet introduction by Armstrong
2. Ensemble plays with Armstrong heard above all
3. Trombone solo
4. Call and response: clarinet solo alternates with Armstrong scat-singing
5. Piano solo by Earl Hines, playing with a trumpet-like attack
6. Armstrong solos: holds a high B-flat for almost four measures
7. Earl Hines’ piano enters to join Armstrong for ending.

The information above was retrieved from: https://americanhistory.si.edu/smithsonian-jazz/education/louis-music-class