The Jubilee Shows, Vol. 7: Nos. 21 & 22

The Jubilee broadcast series was specifically aimed at servicemen (usually blacks) during 1942-1950. The jive talking of Ernie "Bubbles" Whitman and much of the humor has dated, but most shows featured a swing band and a guest singer. The Storyville label, in their Jubilee subsidiary, has been reissuing some of these complete programs, two to a CD. This disc is particularly strong. Show number 21 features the Louis Armstrong Orchestra with Satch in fine form on "On the Sunny Side of the Street," "Dear Old Southland," and "Ol' Man Mose," while his band stretches out on "Leap Frog." Lee Young has a drum feature on "Drum Stomp," and Ivie Anderson (who had recently left Duke Ellington's orchestra) sings "Stormy Weather" backed by a group that has a trumpeter who sounds like Cootie Williams. An extensive comedy sketch has a role for Armstrong, but primarily features Eddie "Rochester" Anderson with surprise guest Jack Benny. Show number 22 is a bit unusual in that the main group is not a big band but Henry "Red" Allen's swing/jump combo, which romps on "Harlem Stomp" and "Rug Cutter's Swing," with clarinetist Barney Bigard added on the latter song. Allen is featured on "I've Got the World on a String," "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" puts the focus on the greatly underrated altoist Don Stovall, the band backs singer Jewel Paige on "I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me" and the patriotic "Hip Hip Hooray," Bigard stretches out on "Tea for Two," and a brief comedy routine is performed by H. Nicodemus Stewart. Fans of these artists will enjoy these formerly rare performances.