Who Would You Hire For Your Band...

[Chas]

If you had deep deep pockets, and if they'd agree...

Who would you draft to play in your orchestra?

My all-star band:

Drums: Big Sid Catlett (I stared at the pc for 20 min. agonizing over Cozy Cole)
Bass: Milt Hinton
Guitar: Freddie Green (greatest rhythm guitarist, ever...)
Piano: Mary Lou Williams
Trumpets: Roy Eldridge, Rex Stewart, Cat Anderson
Trombones: Tyree Glenn (doubles on vibes!!), JC Higgenbotham
Baritone Sax: Harry Carney
Alto Sax: Benny Carter (doubles on clarinet), Johnny Hodges
Tenor Sax: Illinois Jacquet, Lester Young
Clarinet: Benny Carter (Lester Young also played good clarinet)
Female Vocals: Anita O'Day (she may show up stoned, but she will give 100%)
Male Vocals: Al Hibbler

Arrangers are Mary Lou Williams and Benny Carter. I would spirit Billy Strayhorn away from the Duke for a while to write some songs for us, as well.

 

[dhermann1]

I'd toss in Sy Oliver as arranger.
Female vocalist : Helen Forrest
Piano: Maybe Earl Hines? or Art Tatum?
Clarinet: Artie Shaw
Guitar: Charlie Christian
This doesn't necessarily reflect who the "Best" was, more just our personal tastes. But an interesting exercise, nonetheless.
Sort of OT, but many years ago a friend of mine here in NY had a small swing trio (The Swing Now Trio) and he used to find various old swing greats who'd agree to play with the band. That's how I saw Erskine Hawkins up close and personal, plus a couple others. One time he had Eddie Barefield, tenor sax man, and maybe a second tier arranger. He had actually played with Benny Moten in 1932. Eddie was about 82 at the time, and I think very pleased to be getting the attention. We were chatting in front of the place (The Village Gate, actually) during intermission, and he said he'd had a dream shortly before, that he was in heaven and all the great players he'd ever known were up there playing. Didn't seem like he was putting it on. Anyway, I hope I can hear that all star band play some day.

 

[Fletch]

I would simply have "picked up" Ben Selvin's orchestra for radio and recording, Joe Haymes' for one-nighters, and Mitchell Ayres' for theater dates. All were experienced at working under different frontmen. Ayres was MD for both Little Jack Little and Charlie Barnet in the 30s; Haymes often lent out or sold entire bands, with his own arrangements.

 

[Chainsaw]

Charles Mingus has to be one of my favorite Jazz muscians. His wife has a tribute band, I don't think I would mind hiring them.:eusa_clap

 

[vitanola]

I'd just have Pops buy a nice orchestra for me, say the Art Lange organsiation, and have some fun with it.