DJ Chrisbe's Song of the Week #140: Port Of Rico

This article was originally published on http://shuffleprojects.com

Jean Baptiste “Illinois” Jacquet (Oct. 31, 1922 – July 22, 2004) was one of the all-time great tenor saxophonists and inventor of the Rhythm & Blues tenor style. His solo on “Flying Home” with Lionel Hampton in 1942 is considered the first R&B saxophone solo.

Beside Lionel Hampton, Jacquet also worked with Cab Calloway (1943-1944) and Count Basie (1945-1946) before he started his own medium-size band in 1946.

He recorded and toured regularly during the 1950s and was still a big name during the next few decades. Usually playing with smaller groups, he led a part-time big band from the late 1980s.

Port Of Rico

A beautiful, mellow and groovy swing tune, recorded with an all-star line-up: Illinois Jacquet (ts), Hank Jones (p), Count Basie (org!), Freddie Green (g), Ray Brown (b) and Jimmy Crawford (d).

[easyazon-image align=”left” asin=”B000VUBGN4″ locale=”us” height=”160″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51AGbWJA0zL._SL160_.jpg” width=”160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=”B000VUDA4C” locale=”us”]Port Of Rico[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Illinois Jacquet
Recorded: July 22, 1952, NYC
Album: [easyazon-link asin=”B000W1TJV8″ locale=”us”]After You've Gone[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 130 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song from: iTunes ･ [easyazon-link asin=”B000VUDA4C” locale=”us”]Amazon[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=”B004PSS87A” locale=”de”]Amazon DE[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=”B004PSEKEA” locale=”uk”]Amazon UK[/easyazon-link]

You can find all the songs of the series also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.
Official hashtag of the series: #djcsotw

How do you like Illinois Jacquet’s song? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!