West End Blues by Louis Armstrong 1928

For a Question on Louis Armstrong and/or Chicago Jazz

West End Blues

• Initially recorded by Joe Oliver
• Written and recorded in 1928 in Chicago
• Armstong helped to introduce a new style of solo performance with soloist taking it in turn to improvise.
• Uses typical 12 bar blues. (Primary chords)
• 7 Instruments - Cornet, Clarinet, Trombone, Double bass of tuba, Piano, Banjo and Drums

Bar 1-6 Intro - Solo Trumpet Cadenza (Louis Armstrong)

• Texture here is monophonic
• Covers a wide range of two octaves and a 3rd
• Unusual for blues to begin like this
• Usues vibrato in bar 3
• Broken chord with leap of diminished 5th
• …