When you think of trumpet players from the swing era, usually the names of Roy Eldridge, Harry James and Harry Edison come to mind. One of the most prolific, wide ranging and respected horn players was Frankie Newton (1906-1954), who was usually a sideman, but also led his own impressive band for awhile. I personally first discovered him as his band was the backup for Billie Holiday’s arguably best album, a Commodore label collection from 1939-44. Only one song from that rich session is here, “I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues,” but this one song alone well displays the strengths of this admired artist.
The 3 disc set takes you from his early days with a bluesy session with Cecil Scott, leading to some gritty sidework for Bessie Smith on her legendary “Do Your Duty” and “Gimme A Pigfoot” with Newton is an earthy mood. He swings with tradition with Mezz Mezzrow on “Lost” and finds great footing with Teddy Wilson’s 1936 Orchestra on “Christopher Columbus.” As a sideman for Teddy Hill, he glows on the swinging classic “A Study In Brown” and with Charlie Barnet bursts forth on “Emperor Jone.” His own band with Edmond Hall/cl, John Kirby/b and Cozy Cole/dr has Slim Gaillard jiving on “Cause My Baby Says It’s So” and the team drives like a V7 on “I’ve Found A New Baby.”
As far as small group sessions, his work with the Port Of Harlem Jazzmen is a classic. This 1939 session with JC Higginbotham/tb, Albert Ammons/p, Teddy Bunn/g, Johnny Williams/b, Sid Catlet/dr and Sidney Bechet/as-cl produce timeless gems like “Pounding Heart Blues,” “Blues For Tommy Ladnier” and “Port Of Harlem Blues” that reeks of casual swing. He locks horns with Art Tatum on a thrilling “Lady Be Good” and does some Kansas City work with Joe Turner on “SK Blues.” This session is a three hour tour of the best of the swing era. Don’t pass this guy by.