That may be so it would not be the first instance of a famous band leader getting his name on a copyright, though it seems unlike the Armstrong we knew. Morgenstern also writes, “In a letter to Muranyi, insisted that he was the sole author of this book’s title tune. This info on Gerlach comes from Dan Morgenstern’s forward to Da Capo’s 1993 reprinting of Swing That Music. Gerlach also wrote the Mills Brothers’s hit, “Daddy’s Little Girl” as well as “Love In the Air” with Jimmy Van Heusen. Not much concrete information is known about Gerlach but he did co-write with Armstrong three songs that resulted in fantastic records of the Decca period, “If We Never Meet Again,” “Heart Full Of Rhythm” and “What Is This Thing Called Swing” (note the phrasing: these are not exactly fantastic songs, but what Armstrong did with them is truly marvelous, though “If We Meet Again” is quite lovely). Even Ray Bauduc had a drum part for the song transcribed!Īs for the song, it was co-written by the mysterious Horace Gerlach. ![]() In fact, the book carried transcriptions of solos on the song by the likes of Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Joe Venuti, Bud Freeman and Red Norvo. ![]() It was a fitting title for a book on Armstrong’s but it also cashed in heavily on the tune of the same name. That summer he would be prominently featured in the Bing Crosby film Pennies From Heaven and in November of that year, he would publish his first charming, if mostly ghosted, autobiography, titled Swing That Music. The combination of Glaser’s managing, the popularity of the Decca records and a number of radio appearances gave Armstrong’s career quite a boost in 1936. “Swing That Music” was recorded at Armstrong’s eighth Decca session, only 7 1/2 months after his first date for the label. As I wrote about in my last entry, our hero returned from Europe in mid-1935, hired Joe Glaser as his manager and soon landed a contract with Decca records, recording a number of pop songs while fronting the Luis Russell Orchestra (when he first returned, he played in a band organized by his former second trumpeter Zilner Randolph but that band couldn’t get the Chicago union’s permission to play in New York when Armstrong got a booking at Connie’s Inn and thus unfortunately faded into obscurity ). But because I just can’t help myself, I might as well give a little background. I promise not to get too bogged down in the historical details because this entry is about the pure thrilling experience of listening to the tune in question. I once listened to it on a treadmill at the gym and somehow managed to run a three-minute mile. Really, is there a more exciting tune in the Louis Armstrong discography than “Swing That Music.” I’ve never been able to listen to a single version of it without it resulting in my heart pounding through my chest or a bucket of sweat dousing my face. ![]() Okay, all ready, kids? Let’s proceed with (drum roll please) “Swing That Music.” If you have bad breath, chew some gum for heaven’s sake. If you have a bad back, now is a good time to strap yourself in tight to your chair. If you take blood pressure medication, take it before proceeding. Check out for more information.Īvailable on Itunes? Yes, on Louis Armstrong The Ultimate Collection and many othersĪ warning before reading today’s entries: this one is not for the feint of heart. Louis Armstrong, trumpet, vocal Leonard Davis, Gus Aiken, Louis Bacon, trumpets Jimmy Archey, Snub Mosley, trombone Henry Jones, Charlie Holmes, alto saxophones Bingie Madison, Greely Walton, tenor saxophone Luis Russell, piano Lee Blair, guitar Pops Foster, bass Paul Barbarin, drumsĬurrently available on CD: Three incredible versions are all available on volume 2 of the Ambassador series. Written by Horace Gerlach and Louis Armstrong
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