Category Archives: Jazz

Fancy Pants

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Fancy Pants. I had more fun playing this song and making the video than a kid in a candy store with a ten dollar bill! So much fun to play. I used the Jazz Scat voices and my trusty tuba. Al Hirt played it up beat and almost Herb Alpert style. I hadn’t listened to the original, so I ended up with an bit slower version. I hope you enjoy the music and you want to clap your hands or dance about a bit. “Fancy Pants” is a song written by Floyd Cramer and was recorded by Al Hirt for his 1965 album, That Honey Horn Sound.… Read the rest

Seul Ce Soir Or I Am Alone This Evening

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Seul Ce Soir Or I Am Alone This Evening. Seems an appropriate song to play on a cold winter night. I like to play this and play it quite often. Usually without mistakes, but I guess the winter has gotten to my fingers. I left the few extra notes and just liked the whole song. I think you could go to sleep if you listen to the whole piece. It was written in 1941 by Paul Durand, Jean Cassonova & Rose Noel. It is French chanson and now fully integrated into the Gypsy jazz tradition, this is a lovely melody and a jam favorite. Tempo-wise, Seul Ce Soir straddles that space between a swing tune and a ballad. Call it a ‘walking ballad.’ Whatever you call it, it’s a joy to play.… Read the rest

The Happy Organ

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The Happy Organ. The sun is shining, it’s 53 degrees – time to rock it. I love playing this piece. I never play it the same way twice! You just get rolling and have fun – mistakes and all. The Roland organ does a great job for this piece. I hope it brings a smile to your face or at least gets your foot tapping. “The Happy Organ” is the name of an instrumental composition made famous by Dave “Baby” Cortez in 1959. Cortez co-composed it with noted celebrity photographer James J. Kriegsmann and frequent collaborator Kurt Wood. A significant portion of the tune bears a strong resemblance to the traditional “Shortnin’ Bread” tune.… Read the rest

Cynthia’s In Love

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Cynthia’s In Love. I am betting few people recognize this song. Don’t think I ever heard it before. I was practicing the song below it in the fake book with Mr. Dino. It is very plain print with no words. I started playing it and I found it to be a beautiful song. Much more a Roland song with a tenor sax lead. I felt like I was playing music back in the old, old days and should have had a lighted cigarette hanging out of my mouth with the smoke rising! LOL LOL LOL Just a spur of the moment – pretty song, lets record it. CYNTHIA’S IN LOVE Billy Gish, Earl White ANDJack Owen 1942. As recorded by Eric Whitley w Harry Roy & his Band.… Read the rest

Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

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Don’t Get Around Much Anymore seems appropriate during this Covid thing. I bought a great Jayco Travel Trailer in 2015 and had the joy of traveling around a bit. Liked to go South in the cold weather for a month or two. Since I am 76 and being precautious with Covid, I didn’t use my camper all this year. It is just sitting. At the rate things are going, it doesn’t look like next year will be a good camping year for me either. So I decided to sell my Jayco to someone that could use it. I am happy I sold it, but sad, too. I remember all the great times I had camping. So I sadly make a video to remember Mr. Jayco. Just a simple video with simple music. Goodbye Mr. Jayco.… Read the rest

Old Piano Roll Blues

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Another old fun song called Old Piano Roll Blues composed by Cy Coben in 1950. Seems like it is from the ’20s. I played it often in the old days and just have fun with it. I listened to Al Jolson and the Andrew’s Sister sing it – really fun. I didn’t have the Andrew’s Sisters to back me up, so I improvised! LOL Just an amateur having fun. Hope you enjoy.… Read the rest

Nobody’s Sweetheart

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Nobody’s Sweetheat is an old song composed in 1923 by Gus Kahn, Ernie Erdman, Elmer Schoebel and Billy Meyers. Being bored on a Saturday night, I decided to get the ragtime piano out. I have always played this song and people seem to like it, although I am not sure it is very well known. Thanks to the Pixabay Artists for the great, free graphics.… Read the rest

Tijuana Taxi

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I have played accordion most of my life, but have decided to play again at 75. I didn’t play much after the 90’s. Actually couldn’t life my 29 pound Iorio. So I recently bought a Roland FR 4x and love it. Still a bit heavy at 20 pounds, but 10 pounds lighter than the old one.

Tijuana Taxi released by Herb Alpert in 1965.

LyricsDown in old Tijuana town
There’s this happy honkin’ sound,
Something you just can’t put down
It’s the world renown Tijuana Taxi cab.
So, you’re not impressed you say
With a beat up Chevrolet
But that driver man Jose
Knows his way around Tijuana town.Hey, ya wanna swing (You just tell Jose)
Have yourself a fling (What-cha wanna play)
Meet some pretty thing? (Any time you say)
Livin’ like a king! (Long as you can pay)Picture post cards ‘n’ hot tequila
French perfume, man, from Venezuela
When you’re on a Tijuana Taxi ride!
Give those bulls a great big hand,
Love that mariachi band,
But the best thing in the land
Is that hand-me-down Tijuana TaxicabHey, ya wanna swing (You just tell Jose)
Have yourself a fling (What-cha wanna play)
Meet some pretty thing? (Any time you say)
Livin’ like a king! (Long as you can pay)Picture post cards ‘n’ hot tequila
French perfume, man, from Venezuela
When you’re on a Tijuana Taxi ride!
So you swing and go for broke
Not a penny in your poke
Got no cigarettes to smoke
But ya had your fling, the pretty thing
And every-thing is ring-a-ding. O-le! Source: LyricFindSongwriters: Ervan F. Coleman… Read the rest