One of my all-time favorite Dixieland groups was Kenny Ball And His Jazzmen. A list of their successes in the early 1960s would include the following- Midnight in Moscow, The Green Leaves of Summer, Sukiyaki, Hello Dolly and When I’m Sixty- Four. But the most impressive recording in my opinion, was a lengthy (6 minutes 28 seconds) number entitled High Society.
To an average listener, the extended Clarinet solo which lasts through seven full choruses might seem excessive but to a fellow musician it has the effect of sheer amazement. The traditional Clarinet solo was recorded by Alphonse Picou and in respect to the originator, many followers continue to repeat this solo from memory, which was the case on the Kenny Ball recording.
The following is a short background to establish the essence of this blog.
While teaching at the University of Northern Iowa, I had the great fortune to direct several student groups called the UNI Bearcats. To say that this ensemble was a delight in my life would be a gross understatement. At the same time I was working with these dedicated musicians, I was also dealing with two heads of our department who showed little respect for our ensemble as testified by their lack of even knowing the ensembles name, even though we had been listed as one of three best university Dixieland bands competing for the title of the “Best College/University Dixieland band in the country. But that is another story for we were eventually able to fire both of them.
In addition to our participation in the Southern Comfort Intercollegiate Dixieland Competition, this wonderful ensemble was also chosen to open for none other than a Maynard Ferguson concert in Urbandale Iowa. Not bad for a small teacher’s college in the middle of Iowa. I could go on with many more awards and achievement garnered by the Bearcats but the real reason I am posting this is to more fully explain my chosen title “Possibly The Most Difficult Record Copy Ever Made.”
During my tenure as the director of the Bearcats, there came a time when all the stars in heaven came together to give me a Dixieland band made up of truly outstanding musicians and I jumped at the chance to push this select group to their full potential. And this is where the Kenny Ball arrangement comes into play. One of our senior members of our faculty, who I had great respect for was experienced in copying arrangements off records. I approached him with the monumental task of writing out all of the parts from the original recording for its use with my Bearcats. This request turned out to be twenty-one pages of score and 438 measures on each of eight parts!
The person responsible for this massive undertaking was Dr. David Kennedy. Each time I think of the Dr., I tear up for he was one of the nicest, outspoken and gentle man I have every worked with. It was through his efforts that this High Society arrangement has been preserved for generation to come.
Recently I decided to transfer his original score to a midi file and share this record copy with others working with Dixieland bands around the world. Chances are great that many of my readers have not heard the original recording and for that reason I have included a link below so that they might appreciate Dr Kennedy’s accomplishment.
Listen now to the outstanding recording of Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen performing “High Society”.
Now that you have heard this remarkable performance, I will tell you the rest of the story.
I took Dr. Kennedy’s score and transcribed it for the original rhythm section and then transcribed the Clarinet, Trumpet and Trombone parts to be performed by a Trumpet trio. Why may you ask would I do such a thing? I wanted to see if the clarinet solo could be performed on a trumpet. I quickly realized that the average Trumpet player could not sustain the constant lip crush needed to last through seven choruses and land on a high note at the end. I’m not sure anyone other than the super stars can do it. If you are able, let me know for I will bow in respect to these outstanding virtuosi. To alleviate this physical challenge, I divided the workload among each of the players in the Trumpet trio.
Below is the Midi recording of this score along with a couple pages to give you an idea as to the concentration and energy required to note by note put this great recording to the page.
Thank you, Dr. Dave Kennedy, for your talents, your sensitive ears and your dedication to music education.
Now you know the whole story. To all of the members of the UNI Bearcats, I applaud you and wish you all the very best. To Dr. Dave Kennedy, I send my fondest wishes and I am looking forward to be sharing stories again with you some day.
WOW! I am so grateful for teachers like you whose enthusiasm, talent, and dedication enable so many to advance to professional careers, or at least advance their trumpet abilities to very high levels. And, of course your willingness to share your experience and knowledge with a very broad audience. Thank you. I am no where near college-level playing, but certainly appreciate, love, respect and occasionally hate my horn. I am grateful to have a great teacher here in NE Ohio. Bravo, sir!
Thank you for your comments and it is the responsibility of all of us to share in our chosen direction.
We are all at our own level of ability and it is up to us as individuals to decide if we will continue at the same level or work to improve our ability.
The very best to you in your advancement in all of your endeavors.