It seems that “In The Mood” (notably Glenn Miller's version) is beside “Sing, Sing, Sing” THE dance song of the Swing era, especially for people who are not in the Swing dance scene. Everybody knows that song!
The main theme of “In The Mood”, though, was part of another tune recorded for the first time by Fletcher Henderson and written by his younger brother Horace Henderson and this is our Song of the Week.
Note: We should mention, that there was even another song before “Hot And Anxious” called “Tar Paper Stomp (Wingy's Stomp)” with the same riff. It was recorded by Wingy Manone on August 28, 1930, but this is another story. Thanks to Superheidi for clarification.
Hot And Anxious
Horace Henderson
Horace W. Henderson (November 22, 1904 – August 29, 1988) begun studying piano when he was 14.
While attending Wilberforce University he formed his first band The Collegians, which included Benny Carter and Rex Stewart, which became the Horace Henderson Orchestra and in 1928 the Dixie Stompers.
He then worked with Sammy Stewart, before he formed a new big band that played regularly in New York in 1929-1931. Eventually, that band was taken over by Don Redman. Henderson worked in Redman's band as arranger an pianist.
Between 1933-1934, he joined his brother Fletcher Henderson's band. He left the orchestra to work with another one, rejoined Fletcher's band, left again to lead his own band in Chicago from 1937-1940.
After serving for the army in 1942-1943, he rejoined Fletcher again for a period.
Many of the most successful orchestras worked with Horace Fletcherson: Charlie Barnet, the Casa Loma Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Earl Hines, Jimmie Lunceford and of course his brother Fletcher Henderson.
Fletcher Henderson's book contained about 30 tunes of Horace's arrangements.
During his career, Horace als was pianist and musical director for both Lena Horne and Billie Holiday.
Horace is considered the better pianist and more skillful arranger than Fletcher, but Fletcher remained more popular and accomplished more during his career.
Sources: allmusic.com, Wikipedia
Title: Hot And Anxious
Artist: Fletcher Henderson & His Orchestra
Recorded: March 19, 1931, New York
Tempo: 133 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop
You can find all the songs of the series also on my Spotify playlist.
Official hashtag of the series: #djcsotw
Do you prefer “Hot And Anxious” or “In The Mood”? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
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[…] Music for Lindy Hop, Balboa & Blues dancers: DJ Chrisbe's Song of the Week #213: "Hot And Anxious" by Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra (1931) […]