The Legends of the Rocking Dutchman - episode 257

Defying segregation

Today spotlight on the rare occasions where African-American artists worked together with their white colleagues. Whether it was in the safe environment of a New York studio, or in the middle of difficulties that arose from touring the South with a mixed combo, here just the best musicians found each other no matter what color or race.

Today you'll get the great music of African-American singers fronting white bands, a black man leading an all-white combo, all-mixed ensembles, an all-female integrated big band and two men who proclaimed themselves part of the African-American community. And once more the story of Polk Miller who toured the nation in the early 1900s with three African-American musicians, to bring old-time songs from the slavery era.

Transcript

Playlist

  1. Polk Miller's Old South Quartette - What A Time
  2. Harry James & Helen Humes - Jubilee
  3. Benny Goodman - My Daddy Rocks Me
  4. Steve Washington - Blue River
  5. Blind Willie Dunn's Gin Bottle Four - Blue Blood Blues
  6. Jan Savitt feat. George Bon Bon Tunnell - 720 In The Books
  7. International Sweethearts of Rhythm - Tuxedo Junction
  8. Erskine Butterfield & His Blue Boys - The Devil Sat Down And Cried
  9. Etta Jones - Blow Top Blues
  10. Mezz Mezzrow - Really the Blues
  11. Johnny Otis - Doggin' Blues
  12. Charlie Christian - Waiting For Benny
  13. Sidney Bechet & Mezz Mezzrow - Minor Swoon
  14. Lonnie Johnson & Blind Willie Dunn - Blue Room Blues

Outtro:

  • Wild Bill Moore Sextette - Bongo Bounce
The following music served as background music during the spoken parts:
  • Kirk Kirkland - The Saxaphone Rag
  • Benny Goodman - Flying Home
  • International Sweethearts Of Rhythm - Sweet Georgia Brown
  • Johnny Otis - Turkey Hop Pt. 1
  • Lonnie Johnson & Blind Willie Dunn - Blue Guitars
  • Lonnie Johnson & Blind Willie Dunn - Deep Minor Rhythm
  • Mezz Mezzrow - My Daddy Rocks Me