old-OLD jazz ballads

[bloke]

It's really a heckuva lot of fun to play in a (really good) jazz band, and to play rollicking songs that BOTH the band likes AND the crowd likes...perhaps slightly more sophisticated chord changes, multiple strains, etc...

...but I also like playing the ballads that are (and these sorts of tunes don't occur to many, when they think of this genre) the old-OLD ballads.

Obviously I like Hoagy Carmichael's "New Orleans" (even though it's extremely "ground-bass-ish" in its structure)...Of course, I like "Sleepy Time Down South". "Do You Know What it Means To Miss New Orleans" is played too often and (sadly) most of the time with "Sears/Roebuck" chord changes...and that song MUST be sung (not just instrumental) and sung WELL.

>> So what are some of your favorite (if any) very-VERY old ballads that early-style jazz bands play...??

Here's one - composed 94 years ago - that's one of my very favorites (if played well, YET not over-arranged). Some of you know it well...Others of you will be hearing it for the very first time.

I'm sure its changes are still solidly under my (bass...more often than tuba) fingers, even through I haven't played it in quite a few years.

minor audio issues, but a very nice performance...and - when I was in a busy working/touring/recording band in the 1980's, our band played it nearly the very same the way. Obviously, this is Jim Cullum's band...

Stop the traffic to Dixie
Hold it right on the line
Don’t want nothing come betwixt me
And that old gal of mine
I’m so tired and so lonely
Every hour seems a day
For there’s one and one only
Understands what I say:
"I’m comin’ Virginia,
I’m comin’ to stay;
Don’t hold it agin me
For runnin’ away.
I’ve tried to forget you
But found I was wrong;
‘Neath your bright southern moon
Once more I’ll croon
An old Dixie tune.
And if I can win ya,
I’ll never more roam;
I’m comin’ Virginia,
My Dixieland home."
Been a year since you seen me,
That’s an awfully long time!
Don’t want nothin’ between me
And that old home of mine.
I’m so tired and so lonely,
Every hour seems a day,
For there’s one and just one only
Understands when I say;
"I’m comin’ Virginia,
I’m comin’ to stay;
Dont hold it agin me
For runnin’ away.
I’ve tried to forget you
But found I was wrong, all wrong;
‘Neath your bright southern moon
Once more I’ll croon
An old familiar tune.
And if I can win ya,
I’ll never more roam;
I’m comin’ Virginia,
My Dixieland home.

[Jperry1466]

For forty-ish years, every trip to San Antonio for TBA or TMEA had to include a night (or two) at The Landing to hear Jim Cullum's band. All the times I went, they used what I assumed to be an Eb Sousaphone instead of upright bass. At least, it looked awfully small on that big boy. I don't remember specific ballads, but the whole evening was just fun.