Fletcher Henderson Orchestra "Copenhagen" Vocalion 14926 (1924) Louis Armstrong

Fletcher Henderson Orchestra plays "Copenhagen" on Vocalion 14926, recorded on October 30, 1924.

Two takes of the song were made on this day. Listen for Louis Armstrong on muted cornet and Charlie Green on trombone (Charlie Green died in 1936, making his last recordings in 1932 as a member of Chick Webb's Orchestra, which was backing Louis Armstrong on a record date for Victor--Green solos on "Hobo, You Can't Ride This Train").

The Fletcher Henderson Orchestra was the most popular African-American band of the 1920s and the most influential with the possible exception of King Oliver's outfit. Henderson's sound was more important than Oliver's if one favors the big band sound of the 1930s, which Henderson helped to shape.

On the other hand, Oliver's may be viewed as the more influential jazz giant of the 1920s if one prefers Dixieland revivals outfits. I'm going to say that Fletcher Henderson and King Oliver were equally influential, and Louis Armstrong towers above them.

Henderson's Orchestra played at the Club Alabam on West 44th Street in New York City from 1922 to July of 1924.

It then moved to the Roseland Ballroom

In 1924 Henderson hired Louie Armstrong on cornet to replace Joe Smith on trumpet.

Henderson also employed Coleman Hawkins on tenor saxophone, Buster Bailey on clarinet, Don Redman on alto saxophone and--well, Henderson's men nearly make up a complete Who's Who of jazz. Rex Stewart, Tommy Ladnier, and so on.

Henderson (unlike Oliver) recorded for many record companies, using various and confusing names and pseudonyms--Henderson's Dance Orchestra, Henderson's Club Alabam Orchestra, The Dixie Stompers, Henderson's Happy Six Orchestra, Fletcher Henderson and his Sawin' Six, Louisiana Stompers and the Connie's Inn Orchestra.

I've read that "Copenhagen" was first recorded and released by The Wolverine Orchestra. That ensemble famously included Bix Beiderbecke, and the group cut titles for Gennett Records based in Richmond, Indiana.

The song was published in 1924, with the Wolverine/Beiderbecke arrangement available to all.

The song was covered by many jazz bands in 1924, including Fletcher Henderson with Louis Armstrong, who recorded the song five months after Bix Beiderbecke and The Wolverine Orchestra.

"Copenhagen" became a jazz classic and standard. Dixieland jazz musicians loved to played it, and Teresa Brewer had a hit with a vocal version.

The Wolverine Orchestra recorded another jazz classic and standard the same day they cut "Copenhagen"--namely, "Riverboat Shuffle."

Perhaps the easiest version to acquire is the one by the Benson Orchestra. It sold well.




Fletcher Henderson Orchestra "Copenhagen" Vocalion 14926 (1924) Louis Armstrong