Our Lindy 3 and 4 teachers Peter and Julia present us every Monday with an Album of the Week, always including some amazing historical context and fun trivia. This made us really enthusiastic about learning more about the culture and the music. So we thought we’d share the love by putting all of them on our website.
This is the Album of the week for the 12th of February. Chick Webb’s Spinnin’ the Webb
Listen to the album on Spotify
Listen to the album on Youtube
Peter:
“AOTW IS HERE!
Chick Webb, born William Henry Webb in 1905, was a groundbreaking jazz and swing music drummer and band leader. Despite being disabled after overcoming congenital tuberculosis of the spine, Webb became a dominant force in the big band era. Arriving in Harlem in the mid-1920s, he formed his own band by 1927, a sextet that later evolved into a widely recognized big band. Webb aspired to be the house band leader at the Savoy, which played a pivotal role in the development and history of Lindy Hop dancing.
The Savoy, a renowned Ballroom, located on Lenox Avenue spanning from 140-141st Streets in New York, became one of the epicenters of the jazz world by the late 1920s. Capable of holding thousands of enthusiastic dancers, it was here where Lindy Hop flourished. Chick Webb’s performances at the Savoy, particularly during the years leading up to 1939, provided the backdrop for a vibrant Lindy Hop culture, contributing significantly to its development and popularity. The well known song Stompin’ at the Savoy was written about this venue, and Chick Webb’s version is probably one of the most pumping ones.
In addition to shaping dance history, Chick Webb’s band engaged in a legendary battle of the bands against the Benny Goodman band at the Savoy. Despite Goodman’s widespread acclaim and dishing out all they had, Webb’s band ended up ‘sending them back home downtown after a little face-washing, and doing so without breaking too much of a sweat.’ (Quote: Jazz anecdotes)
Webb’s triumph over physical challenges extended to his explosive drumming style, which showcased on his custom-made drum set. Usually set up high upon a platform, he used custom-made pedals, goose-neck cymbal holders, a 28-inch bass drum, and a wide variety of other percussion instruments to create his thundering solos.
By 1934, Webb signed with the label – you probably guessed it – Decca – achieving national success there. This is where our AOTW was recorded – it contains a good collection of songs, but these stand out to us: Go Harlem, Harlem Congo (strap in tight for this one!), Clap Hands! Here comes Charlie, and a cool version of I got Rhythm. You’ll probably also recognize the Heebie Jeebies.
Around that time, he also enlisted a young Ella Fitzgerald, whose talent propelled Webb’s commercial recordings. Despite his recordings featuring more and more Ella and less and less Webb, live performances showcased plenty of his extraordinary skills.
Unfortunately, Webb’s precarious health led to his death in 1939, following a major operation. Ella Fitzgerald continued leading the band until its dissolution in 1942.
Interesting Trivia: last week’s Johnny Hodges played with Chick Webb for a while in his early years, too!”
Thank you very much for sharing this with us Peter and Julia!
