Frank Trumbauer Talks About Bix Beiderbecke and His Own Band

[@postatility9703]

Frank was a true virtuoso, but also came through this interview as a true gentleman.

[@JDlupin]

“25 years ago, that’s an olllld record isn’t it” and we’re still listening to it almost a hundred years later

[@MrOkgrillo]

Wild Cat!!!!...Mother, what dexterity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@osocool1too]

Wonderful to hear Trams voice, and what a shame he died 4 years after this 1952 recording. He and Bix made such terrific music together along with other luminaries of the era. 👍

[@jazzguy1927]

It was fortunate Tram was on such a radio program talking about Bix and that the program was recorded. Thanks for listening.

[@stevehoog914]

Tram lived in the Indian Hills neighborhood of KCMO, off 85th and Wornall. His son Bill taught a lot of trumpet players who are still playing, and quite well. Tram last played in public at Boone Elementary School at 89th and Wornall, where Bill attended. Bill's son Bill Jr was a cop for a while then restarted his drums career and was playing with blues and metal bands.

[@stevehoog914]

Bill Jr died in 2020.

[@dariomulonia3480]

[@olivedarb03]

I will always love the music of Bix and Tram !!

[@rhythmfield]

This is extraordinary - valuable and interesting beyond measure. I’m a professional player (drums) and lifelong student; recordings such as this one help me to understand the music we call jazz and its rich history.

[@jazzguy1927]

I recognized the value of this to jazz history and that is why I posted it to share with all those who like Bix and Tram music plus anyone interested in that period of jazz.

[@rhythmfield]

@@jazzguy1927 you’re doing great work - keep it up please!

[@sammckinstry]

I'm gobsmacked at all I've learned from this recording. Frank Trumbauer was a musical innovator and genius, who could hang it on a peg when he wanted to move on to flying, in addition to being a well-balanced, modest and sociable man with a most generous spirit. Where do you start to pick out the important things? For him, we learn, instrumental tone and a sense of melody lay at the core of everything. If that was missing, the rest was pretty worthless. The same applies today. And he could fly over the keys on a sax like no-one else in jazz at the time and few if any since, including Charlie Parker, who squeaked a bit on his high-speed flights of fancy. Full of innovation, it's interesting to hear Trumbauer say that if your audience don't like it, there isn't much point in doing it. A few have perished musically by ignoring this advice! What an easy guy to interview, too. And look who signed the cartoon of Trumbauer on the record cover shown! The multi-talented Tram! His points on Bix are amazing. The two of them went to modern classical musical concerts as much as jazz, and Bix listened to Louis more than anyone else - deep echoing unto deep, yet developing a completely different sound. Solid gold, Jazzguy1927!

[@jazzguy1927]

Thanks again for your observations and for listening. A lot of jazz fans have asked for this interview and fortunately I had it. I read in a jazz magazine when I was a kid that a jazz fan played the sizzling one step medley by Trumbauer for Charlie Parker once and he tried to play Tram’s solo and gave up because he said it was just too difficult. I think it was in Down Beat.

[@dariomulonia3480]

Sir, your comment is beautiful, I read it all, but I didn't like what you said about Parker.

[@osocool1too]

Great to listen to Tram's voice, and him talking about Bix and other luminaries iwith whom he created so much fabulous music. 👍🤗.

[@jazzguy1927]

So much is written about Bix and Tram by jazz writers but this is especially valuable because it has Tram talking about himself and experiences with Bix. Thanks for listening.

[@jamesweiss892]

When asked how he got his sound, Lester Young always said it was listening to Bix and Tram. If you listen closely, it sounds like he was picking up Tram's light airy tone, but Bix's harmonic ideas

[@MusicLiberates]

Amazing interview with a genuine musical legend!

[@jazzguy1927]

Thanks for listening and for your comment about this interview, a very valuable jazz historical document.

[@albiondi4078]

First time i'm ever hearing Frank speak although I'm no stranger to his music, he really is well spoken and polished a true virtuoso in every sense of the word. Every saxophone player who ever heard Tram play was in aw the same way i was when i first heard him and every time i continue to hear him. Thanks for adding this to youtube!

[@jazzguy1927]

I put this on KZbin because this priceless radio recording of Trumbauer need to be heard by all who enjoy his music. Thanks for listening and for your comment. The Ken Burns jazz documentary goes on and on about how Lester Young is a saxophone genius and Tram was his influence.

[@jazzguy1927]

I posted a recording of Nobody’s Sweetheart by Gos Estradni Orkestr Pod Upr Leonid Utjesov 12 days ago and no one has identified where or when the recording was made and where the band making the recording is from. Do you or any other listener have information on this recording?

[@benzo4029]

I'm feeling the same thrill and awe hearing the great Tram reminiscing about Bix as I was when I got to see all the ancient Egyptian treasures of King Tut's tomb in person! Love all the music and info that Tram gave about his Glory days with Paul Whiteman and the admiration he had for Bixes talent .,.after all those years...makes me respect Bix more! Thanks for leaving the broadcast whole and not chopped up in sections, as I enjoyed hearing his musical progression over the years! This stuff is a real Jazz fan's treasure! Thanks a million for this thrill. I love Trams sax style , the signature "wilting note" that he'd let go flat...like a dog whining.. something so fetching with other saxophonists, you hear them copy him in other dance bands! It sure was a pleasure to hear this rare old Tram interview! Thankyou so much! You have the best jazz channel on youtube my friend.

[@jazzguy1927]

I saw the Tuts treasures when it was on exhibit in Los Angeles many years ago. I still have the brochure that advertised it. I am glad you enjoyed the Tram radio interview. I didn’t want to separate the interview from the music part.

[@jazzguy1927]

I really appreciate your comment that I have the best jazz channel on KZbin. I have the best listeners too on KZbin who kindly research recordings I post and let me know dates, personnel , and information on the bands. Information I didn’t have before.

[@benzo4029]

@@jazzguy1927 Thank you. I saw the Tut exhibit when it came to the San Francisco museum. Glad you saw it too. Still have two postcards from it. I had the Edison disc called Old King Tut I'm my Chippendale for years so I was all primed to go. Wore a polyester disco era shirt with blk palms and sphinx in black ink on it. I was stylin' to go! That was around 1978!

[@dariomulonia3480]

[@Tommy-hp5ij]

Mississippi Mud version at 16:00, and what Tram said before this about Bix's playing on this tune was a real treat -- as was this whole interview!

[@jazzguy1927]

I am glad you enjoyed the interview as this important historical document about Bix and Tram needed to be heard.

[@nicholastemple-smith2635]

Thank you. That was wonderful!

[@jazzguy1927]

Glad you enjoyed it. This is an important historical document radio show with Trumbauer himself talking and I thought it was important to make this available.

[@ulexite-tv]

Radio Station WTAD, Quincy, Illinois, October, 1952. Hal Barton was the interviewer.

[@postatility9703]

"Beetle at Large" Most intriguing. Has a slight Ellington feel to it.

[@MrRezillo]

Wow, I just found out about this interview. I'm glad Tram chose to play "Mississippi Mud". Despite the cringe-worthy dialog and lyrics, Bix's solo on this may be his greatest, rivaling "Singin' the Blues". Listen to how he creates a beautiful melodic line of his own over the chord changes. Other than Louis and Sidney Bechet, not many musicians were improvising like that in `1927, certainly no white musicians. Thanks for posting this valuable interview. Bix brought out the best in Frank Trambauer. I've heard his later stuff, but for my money it doesn't compare with the things he did with Bix. Well done!

[@t.tocsmaillup8685]

Cringe worthy come on man (be one)

[@MrRezillo]

@@t.tocsmaillup8685 Yes, cringe worthy; sorry if you disagree

[@giovannirivoira5496]

Extremely interesting!!!thank you!!

[@jazzguy1927]

Thanks for listening and for your comment. I wanted to post this interview because it is important to hear Trumbauer actually talking about Bix. Plenty of writers and books and articles on Bix. Only one Trumbauer. This interview should be of great interest to any Bix researcher and listener.

[@giovannirivoira5496]

@@jazzguy1927 👍👍

[@postatility9703]

I should also mention that Frank was Lester Young's favorite saxophonist.

[@postatility9703]

"Wildcat" OMG!!

[@committeelectc6686]

Beatle at Large is a bit like Raymond Scott's Powerhouse.

[@jonnelson6446]

Trumbauer's technique should be the envy of today's saxophonists, most of whom don't even know how to tongue their instruments correctly.

[@paulhelman2376]

The dialect is nicely done but not PC I suppose. Great stuff all around.

[@Mesomede]

Sounds a bit too fast.

[@jazzguy1927]

Thanks for that information. There us a program that will slow down digital recordings and I have it but it is too complicated for me to understand.

[@Mesomede]

@@jazzguy1927 I can do it for you if you wish.

[@jazzguy1927]

@@Mesomede Do you have a KZbin channel? You can speed correct it then put it on your channel.

[@Mesomede]

@@jazzguy1927 Great idea! I do it asap.