Famous Signature Songs

SmoothOperator

Maybe his signature, but did he ever play it at a gig? I think I am trying to avoid those songs where they recorded umpteen takes to get an ungoddly good track, that isn't even really the main attraction(its a theme for a movie). There are a bunch of songs out there like Penny Lane or High Hopes:

SmoothOperator

Call On me - Lee Loughnane (Chicago) ??

Mike Ansberry

@georgeb Eddie Calvert seems to be the trumpet player most associated with Cherry Pink.

GeorgeB

@mike-ansberry

In the US the Prado version was released in 1955 before Calvert's, and featured Billy Regis on trumpet. It went to number one on the US Billboard chart . A couple of months later in the United Kingdom, Calvert released his version and it went to the top of the charts there for something like four or five months. I actually liked both versions but I had already bought the Prado record by then.

SmoothOperator

Do any of the Funk trumpet players get credit? Ain't it Funky is slick, and Jungle Boogie:

I've been looking at the Jamaican Ska, horn players, but it doesn't look like they crossed over into the US.

SmoothOperator

@smoothoperator

I think that horn part was actually a trombone.

Here is a cool clip James Brown's band opening with Sidewinder: https://youtu.be/BMELadyJK-8?t=343.

Kehaulani

No one knows any other Signature Songs by legendary players?

BigDub

@kehaulani
How about Java, by Al Hirt?
He really had some chops. I am not saying he necessarily needed his full arsenal on Java, but it really put him into the popular mainstream

SmoothOperator

@smoothoperator

Actually, I was confused the comp part was trumpet, but the solo was a trombone. I was confused I a solo transcription for the Trombone when I was trying to find the Trumpet music.

It appears to be "Kush" Griffith on the trumpet and James even refers to him in the song. Play Kush's part, so Kush can play his horn.

Though, maybe just a studio recording.

J. Jericho

Here's my nomination for Herb Alpert:

GeorgeB

@j-jericho
I played that lp so much that the tracks are worn. Good choice, j-jericho

SmoothOperator

@kehaulani said in Famous Signature Songs:

No one knows any other Signature Songs by legendary players?

I think the thread has covered all the bases though I'm surprised Grazing in the Grass isn't getting more comments.

I like this thread alot though. It's a tough criteria, after thinking about it. A "signature" implies alot. Like the player has to be band lead or at least a very successful soloist. Though some of the songs that don't fit the bill are still interesting.

A couple that are on the radar as legendary players are Chic Chocolate, Chocolate Armenteros, and Baba Brooks. They get into the confusing international waters, and never had hits in the USA so it's difficult to assess their popularity.

Chic lead the house band at the Taj Mahal and recorded many Bolly Wood films:

I think the sweets pattern is pretty interesting, Taste of Honey, Sugar Libs, Chocolate.

Kehaulani

Exhausted? Gad. What about (might be duplicates, due to poor eyesight -sorry):
Clifford Brown
Lee Morgan
Bubber Miley
Roy Eldridge
Maurice Andre
Rafael Mendez
Harry James
Louis Prima
Freddie Hubbard
Dizzy Gillespie
Chet Baker
Fats Navarro

SmoothOperator

@kehaulani said in Famous Signature Songs:

Exhausted? Gad. What about (might be duplicates, due to poor eyesight -sorry):
Clifford Brown
Lee Morgan
Bubber Miley
Roy Eldridge
Maurice Andre
Rafael Mendez
Harry James
Louis Prima
Freddie Hubbard
Dizzy Gillespie
Chet Baker
Fats Navarro

I think Harry James was overlooked, but that's kind like cheating because back then swing music was pop music. Would "Two O'clock Jump" be a contender for his signature?

J. Jericho

GeorgeB

Harry James has been overlooked by today's jazz lovers. He was doing things with his horn in jazz that amazed other well known players of the day.
If you want to know exactly how great a trumpet player, and jazz musician, Harry James really was, I suggest you pick up a copy of Chuck Par-Due's interesting book: HARRY JAMES Trumpet Icon

neal085

@j-jericho Man, I love Harry James. Great sound and such smooth chops.

Kehaulani

Did you guys know that Harry never practiced?

Newell Post

@kehaulani According to some books, he performed up to 6 hours per day, on some days. Who has the time or the chops to practice with that kind of performance schedule?

Kehaulani

That's interesting because I've read the opposite. Matter of fact, he spent most of his practice time womanizing and drinking.