South!

*The term “jazz pimps” was one employed by R. P. Christeson to describe old-time fiddlers who leaned a little too heavily on popular music.

This swing instrumental was composed by Bennie Moten and Thamon Hayes. It was originally recorded by the Bennie Moten Orchestra in the 1920s, becoming a notable early jazz hit. Moten was from Kansas City and the jazz standard Moten Swing bears his name. It's been suggested the sound of Moten's orchestra was the precursor to Count Basie's. Listen to the Moten Orchestra playing South recorded in 1928.

The tune was adopted and recorded by several Western swing bands, especially Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. "South" fits well into the Western swing repertoire. Here's the Wills rendition. The simple chord progression lends itself to take-off improvisation.

I got "South" from the ersatz "jazz pimps" among the old-time fiddlers in Central Missouri like Taylor McBaine and Jimmy Gilmore. My version here is just the basic melody. For some ideas on "jazzing it up" listen to the attached MP3 of John Stewart and me recorded Columbia, MO, back in the 1980s.

Get the dots and TAB along with the complete video lesson at patreon.com/charliewalden.

Become a paid subscriber and get some extra perks.

$5 per month ($50 per year) - You’ll have access to all post to enjoy and comment. You’ll also receive a curated PDF mini-tunebook delivered twice per year via paid-sub only post.

$80 per year - Join the Catgut Confederacy - You’ll get all the bennies of free and basic paid subscriptions plus you’ll receive a curated PDF tunebook with MP3 files when you join at this level and on your anniversary payment date from then on.