School of Syncopation - Jazz, Stride, Novelties & the Like

[gigiranalli]

Hi Frank,
yes, I'm aware of the Seger Ellis piano rolls. I know that Benjamin Intartaglia has transcribed "Texas Wail Blues" and he's member of Pianophilia. Maybe he would post it here sometimes.
I know of another Ellis piano roll, entitled "Mamma Blues". That's a rather bluesy version of his song "Mamma".
I heard a story that the Seger Ellis piano rolls may have been actually played by J. Lawrence Cook from manuscripts by Seger Ellis. I wonder if that's true or not.
But comparing the "Mamma Blues" piano roll with the Seger Ellis recording (he played "Mamma" with Lloyd Finlay and his band and he can be heard in a piano solo of the chorus), I suspect there's some truth in this theory.
I post the recording of the "Mamma Blues" piano roll and also an extract of the Finlay recording of "Mamma" featuring the Seger Ellis great piano solo.
I hope everybody find it interesting.
I just saw the new transcriptions you posted on the piano roll transcription section and they're absolutely GREAT!!! I loved the Johnny Johnson version of "Precious" and I'm so happy I can try it!! And those James P. Johnson transcriptions are just as "precious"!!!
Thanks so much for these gems!!
Luigi

[fhimpsl]

Hi Luigi,

The roll of "Mamma Blues" was issued on the US Music Roll label without any artist credit at all (I have the roll and have seen other copies, they're all the same). This usually means that it was done by J.Lawrence Cook, and there are quite a few cases on USM when he wasn't credited. I'm sure Ellis had nothing to do with the roll of "Mamma Blues," other than composing it and providing USM with a lead sheet copy. However, Seger Ellis DID actually record "Texas Wail Blues" for both USM and QRS roll companies, and JLC had nothing to do with these rolls. This information is from Mike Montgomery, who interviewed Ellis in the 1960s and had him autograph his copies of the rolls. "Texas Wail" was never published as sheet music and I don't know whether even a lead sheet exists for it at LOC. Two other Ellis instrumental tunes were published by Robbins; "Prairie Blues," and "Sentimental Blues," and these are both quite well written out (and they have that "Texas Wail" sound about them). Hope this info helps clear up the Seger Ellis roll saga...

All Best,

Frank

[gigiranalli]

Hi Luigi,

The roll of "Mamma Blues" was issued on the US Music Roll label without any artist credit at all (I have the roll and have seen other copies, they're all the same). This usually means that it was done by J.Lawrence Cook, and there are quite a few cases on USM when he wasn't credited. I'm sure Ellis had nothing to do with the roll of "Mamma Blues," other than composing it and providing USM with a lead sheet copy. However, Seger Ellis DID actually record "Texas Wail Blues" for both USM and QRS roll companies, and JLC had nothing to do with these rolls. This information is from Mike Montgomery, who interviewed Ellis in the 1960s and had him autograph his copies of the rolls. "Texas Wail" was never published as sheet music and I don't know whether even a lead sheet exists for it at LOC. Two other Ellis instrumental tunes were published by Robbins; "Prairie Blues," and "Sentimental Blues," and these are both quite well written out (and they have that "Texas Wail" sound about them). Hope this info helps clear up the Seger Ellis roll saga...

All Best,

Frank

Dear Frank,
thank you so much for the precious and detailed information about the Seger Ellis piano rolls!
It's fascinating that Seger Ellis was interviewed in recent times! I wonder if he was still playing piano then!
I read that he learned to play piano from some black ragtime pianists in Texas during the 1910s and that he claimed he learned that kind of funky walking bass from them.
I like very much his "Prairie Blues" and "Sentimental Blues" and I must try to learn them some times, since I have a copy of the sheet music.
My favorite piano solo of Ellis is "You'll Want Me Back Someday", but sadly the published sheet music is much simplified in comparison with his incredible piano playing!
I also like very much his "Shivery Stomp" and "Among My Souvenirs", but I don't think these were ever published.
Best
Luigi

[struwwelpeter]

Dear Frank,

You very kindly posted a host of Mayerl pieces which I have really enjoyed playing and have plugged several gaps in my collection. You have also been posting some that have not been seen here before, and I would love to know whether you have any more that have not been posted yet.

I (hopefully) attach a list of all the Mayerl that I've collected over the years - if there's anything you have that I don't I'd be very grateful to see it, and equally I'm happy to post anything that other people might not have.

Cheers,
Peter.

mayerl.pdf

[gigiranalli]

On the Piano Roll Transcription section, Frank Himpsl posted his great transcription of "Black Satin - Rag Supreme" by Clarence Woods and commented:

Clarence Woods only composed a few ragtime pieces, but what survives is top-notch. His "Slippery Elm Rag" is a ragtime masterpiece. However, in my opinion his very best composition was only published on piano roll, entitled "Black Satin - Fox Trot." When I heard this funky rag for the first time years ago I thought it was a previously unknown Euday Bowman rag. It has the quintessential Texas Ragtime "sound."

Fascinating! I also like Clarence Woods very much.
I post here an interesting rag with such a strong "Clarence Woods" flavour that it may be a composition of his, but it isn't
This rather folksy rag is entitled "A Classy Rag" and it was composed by Ethel S. Phillips AND arranged by Clarence Woods!
This rag absolutely sounds like a Woods original to me and it's always fascinating to see how much the arrangers had to do with the sound of these rags. I dare to say they were the "real" composers more often than not. That's quite a disputable sentence, I know, but let's try "A Classy Rag" and then you'll tell me.
I also attach another piece, another fine Willard Robison advanced rag, entitled "Eight Ball".
Enjoy!
Luigi
P.S.
On "Black Satin": I heard the piano roll (lot of fun to hear!) and then a recording played by Bob Wright, which almost shocked me...I didn't know that was humanly possible...it sounded almost as challenging as the arranged piano roll ....did he really have only two hands?

[fhimpsl]

Hi Luigi,

The roll of "Mamma Blues" was issued on the US Music Roll label without any artist credit at all (I have the roll and have seen other copies, they're all the same). This usually means that it was done by J.Lawrence Cook, and there are quite a few cases on USM when he wasn't credited. I'm sure Ellis had nothing to do with the roll of "Mamma Blues," other than composing it and providing USM with a lead sheet copy. However, Seger Ellis DID actually record "Texas Wail Blues" for both USM and QRS roll companies, and JLC had nothing to do with these rolls. This information is from Mike Montgomery, who interviewed Ellis in the 1960s and had him autograph his copies of the rolls. "Texas Wail" was never published as sheet music and I don't know whether even a lead sheet exists for it at LOC. Two other Ellis instrumental tunes were published by Robbins; "Prairie Blues," and "Sentimental Blues," and these are both quite well written out (and they have that "Texas Wail" sound about them). Hope this info helps clear up the Seger Ellis roll saga...

All Best,

Frank

Dear Frank,
thank you so much for the precious and detailed information about the Seger Ellis piano rolls!
It's fascinating that Seger Ellis was interviewed in recent times! I wonder if he was still playing piano then!
I read that he learned to play piano from some black ragtime pianists in Texas during the 1910s and that he claimed he learned that kind of funky walking bass from them.
I like very much his "Prairie Blues" and "Sentimental Blues" and I must try to learn them some times, since I have a copy of the sheet music.
My favorite piano solo of Ellis is "You'll Want Me Back Someday", but sadly the published sheet music is much simplified in comparison with his incredible piano playing!
I also like very much his "Shivery Stomp" and "Among My Souvenirs", but I don't think these were ever published.
Best
Luigi

Hi Luigi,
Glad you enjoyed the Seger Ellis information. I think that his playing on the Victor record of "You'll Want Me Back Someday" is far and away his hottest playing on
record. Did you hear that he made a whopping blunder on the very last chord? I'm glad they issued it anyway...and it's a rare record to boot. The other Victor
with "PrairieBlues / Sentimental Blues" is very common though. Never could figure that one out. "Shivery Stomp" was never published in sheet music or piano
roll form as far as I know. "Among My Souvenirs" was a published popular song....Ellis' arrangement was never published though.
All best,
Frank

[fhimpsl]

On the Piano Roll Transcription section, Frank Himpsl posted his great transcription of "Black Satin - Rag Supreme" by Clarence Woods and commented:

Clarence Woods only composed a few ragtime pieces, but what survives is top-notch. His "Slippery Elm Rag" is a ragtime masterpiece. However, in my opinion his very best composition was only published on piano roll, entitled "Black Satin - Fox Trot." When I heard this funky rag for the first time years ago I thought it was a previously unknown Euday Bowman rag. It has the quintessential Texas Ragtime "sound."

Fascinating! I also like Clarence Woods very much.
I post here an interesting rag with such a strong "Clarence Woods" flavour that it may be a composition of his, but it isn't
This rather folksy rag is entitled "A Classy Rag" and it was composed by Ethel S. Phillips AND arranged by Clarence Woods!
This rag absolutely sounds like a Woods original to me and it's always fascinating to see how much the arrangers had to do with the sound of these rags. I dare to say they were the "real" composers more often than not. That's quite a disputable sentence, I know, but let's try "A Classy Rag" and then you'll tell me.
I also attach another piece, another fine Willard Robison advanced rag, entitled "Eight Ball".
Enjoy!
Luigi
P.S.
On "Black Satin": I heard the piano roll (lot of fun to hear!) and then a recording played by Bob Wright, which almost shocked me...I didn't know that was humanly possible...it sounded almost as challenging as the arranged piano roll ....did he really have only two hands?

Hi Luigi,
Thanks for posting "A Classy Rag". I certainly was not aware of this extremely rare score, and moreso I had no idea of Clarence Woods' involvement with that piece. I don't think he composed the number, but certainly from the characteristic sound he did do the arrangement for publishing. Very good - fascinating!!! There is another example of this...."Graveyard Blues" is normally found on sheet music and piano rolls as composed by Clarence Woods. However, the first edition of the sheet music credits John S. Caldwell as composer and I don't think it mentions Woods at all. I think this was a collaboration, because Woods was obviously involved. The last strain of "Graveyard Blues" is very similar to the last strain of "Black Satin". And so the ragtime mysteries continue...
All best,
Frank

[fhimpsl]

Dear Frank,

You very kindly posted a host of Mayerl pieces which I have really enjoyed playing and have plugged several gaps in my collection. You have also been posting some that have not been seen here before, and I would love to know whether you have any more that have not been posted yet.

I (hopefully) attach a list of all the Mayerl that I've collected over the years - if there's anything you have that I don't I'd be very grateful to see it, and equally I'm happy to post anything that other people might not have.

Cheers,
Peter.

Hi Peter,

I printed out your list of Mayerl scores and will post any that you do not have. One problem I have is that my Mayerl transcriptions are currently not easy to get to...so I need to stay with the original compositions for now. I think there are a few examples on your list which are transcriptions but are not indicated as such. Anyhow, I'll certainly do my best and will get back with you shortly.

Frank

[fhimpsl]

Dear Frank,

You very kindly posted a host of Mayerl pieces which I have really enjoyed playing and have plugged several gaps in my collection. You have also been posting some that have not been seen here before, and I would love to know whether you have any more that have not been posted yet.

I (hopefully) attach a list of all the Mayerl that I've collected over the years - if there's anything you have that I don't I'd be very grateful to see it, and equally I'm happy to post anything that other people might not have.

Cheers,
Peter.

Hi Peter,

These five pieces should fill the gaps in your collection. Enjoy

Frank

Mayerl - The Jazz Mistress.pdf

Mayerl - Minuet By Candlelight.pdf

Mayerl - Musical Moments - Six Miniatures.pdf

Mayerl - Oriental.pdf

Mayerl - Pastorale Sketches.pdf

[mballan]

Born into an artistic family in Taranto, Italy - Domenico Savino (1888-1973) migrated to the United States in the early years of the 20th Century. Savino's education in music was completed at the Royal Conservatory of Naples in composition, piano and conducting - for which he became famous in the United States working ultimately as a conductor for Pathe Records, Kapp and RCA.

Early in his career in the United States, Domenico Savino brought to America the famous silent motion picture star - Rudolph Valentino.

At various times, Savino conducted the CBS Symphony, orchestrated by Paul Whiteman - the famous "Big Band" leader - and Vincent Lopez. Savino became one of the "Big Three" partners in the giant US music publishing firm, Robbins Music. Many of Domenico Savino's popular pieces are published under the pseudonym "D. Onivas," which was simply a reversal of his last name. He is credited with composing over 2500 published compositions, most of which are classical or semi-classical in nature.

I've posted his Study in Blue.

Malcolm

Savino D - Study In Blue.pdf