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What do you when you're waiting for Benny Goodman to show up in the studio? In the case of Charlie Christian and the rest of the band, you jam on something. And that's just what they did on the track "Waiting For Benny." About a minute and a half into the jam, Charlie Christian changes key and the rest of the band follows - this ended up being the first pass at "A Smo-o-oth One." You can hear it emerge out of this jam at 1:27: youtu.be/PHnBiT1Jp_4

Written by Charlie Christian, it isn't clear if this was the first time the band played "Waiting for Benny" but it is the first time they recorded it. The band would record a version with Benny Goodman later in the session at a slower tempo -  this is the version most commonly played at dances. And of course, times being what they were, Benny took credit for writing this dance floor gem, probably something a young Charlie Christian didn't concern himself with or even know about. This unfortunately happened to a lot of African-American artists during that time.

Charlie Christian was a seminal guitar player, despite recording and playing for only three years before being struck down by tuberculosis. But his work revolutionized the electric guitar as a jazz instrument. Prior to his innovative playing, the guitar was primarily a rhythmic instrument. His approach of playing the guitar like a horn line has influenced countless numbers of players after him, and you can hear some of his best lines on "A Smooth One."

My version does have guitar, but I use the piano to take on the role of Charlie Christian, playing off the basic riff in my own style. The rhythm section swings really hard on this one - I hope you enjoy dancing to it!

credits

from Single of the Month Club, track released April 14, 2018
Noah Hocker - Trumpet
Jon Hunt - Sax & Clarinet
Rob Edwards - Trombone
Gordon Webster - Piano
Adam Brisbin - Guitar
Brandi Disterheft - Bass
Eric Metzgar - Drums

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Gordon Webster New York, New York

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