78 RPM: Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra - Victor 21693

Get Low-Down Blues

written by Bennie Moten

performed by Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra

This track opens with a playful exchange between cornetist Ed Lewis and Bennie Moten. Solos go to Woody Walder on clarinet, Jack Washington on baritone sax, and Booker Washington on cornet.

Kansas City Breakdown

written by Bennie Moten and Woody Walder

performed by Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra

Bennie Moten - piano

Ed Lewis, Booker Washington - cornets

Thamon Hayes - trombone

Harlan Leonard, Jack Washington, Woody Walder - reeds

Leroy Berry - banjo

Vernon Page - bass

Willie McWashington - drums

One of this fine band's quintessential performances from a marathon two day session that produced twelve masters.  This was the seventh (BVE-42929-1).  "Get Low Down Blues" was tenth (BVE-42933-1).  BVE-42934-1 and BVE-42935-1 would be released around the same time but, on Victor's race series.  By the way, that twelfth master would turn out to be, along with "Moten Swing," one of Bennie's all-time classics.  But, that is for another blog. . .

Both sides recorded in Camden, NJ, 7 September 1928 and released as Victor 21693 in March 1929.