Let Me Off Uptown

Gene Krupa & Anita O'Day (Roy Eldridge) · 1941 · Recorded in May 1941 (Okeh), No. 10 in the United States; sung dialogue with Roy Eldridge, who also plays a trumpet solo on it.

Context

Composed by Earl Bostic and Redd Evans, recorded in May 1941 in New York by Gene Krupa's orchestra for Okeh (78 rpm 6210). The sung dialogue between Anita O'Day and Roy Eldridge, followed by the latter's trumpet solo, took it to number 10 on the Billboard chart in 1941. It is often cited as an example of racial integration in jazz, Eldridge being the only Black musician in a white orchestra; a Soundie was filmed in 1942.

In the genealogy of jazz

This track belongs to Swing, big bands, Vocal jazz, scat, vocalese. Among the origins and influences of Swing, big bands: Chicago, Stride (Harlem piano), Harlem: Henderson, Redman, Ellington, Kansas City, Boogie-woogie, Symphonic jazz, dance orchestras.

By the same artist

• Heckler's Hop (1937)
• Rockin' Chair (1952)
• Little Jazz (1952)

Sources

• EN: Let Me off Uptown

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