Rafael queried: Someone was talking about Duke development towards what was called in the 30's as jungle music. I used to listen to that when I was a child and it was a thrill, but I haven't any of his recordings of that period. Suggestions ? (good compilations or similar)
The "jungle" period started in the 20's when trumpeter Bubber Miley joined the band (I think it was at the Kentucky Club in 1926). Previously (as the Washingtonians) they had a "sweet" sound with Duke's old pals Artie Whetsol (tpt) and Otto Hardwick (saxes). Miley brought unprecedented use of mutes, specifically the plunger, and the blues (which they hadn't done up to this point). Duke had already brought trombonist Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton into the band for some of his unusual timbres with mutes, and he picked up even more from hanging with Miley. Miley was of a different social class from the rest of the band, and his powerful contributions changed it forever. Unfortunately, his life style got in the way and he couldn't maintain his position in the band. Cootie Williams, (Mobile, Alabama) was brought in to replace Miley, with Nanton showing him the muting techniques - but at heart, he was a different player, whose attributes surfaced later (awesome power and majesty). (Similarly Nanton tutored Ray Nance when Williams was hired away by Benny Goodman.) Some of this music found its way into early sound cartoons which spread the influence far and wide. Barney Bigard's clarinet, Hardwick's bass sax, and Sonny Greer's percussion antics also factored in the jungle sound. If you want "jungle" - look for Bubber Miley and Joe Nanton in the credits, thought Cootie played the role excellently for several years to come. The Brunswicks are a good set, but since the band recorded for half a dozen different labels simultaneously during this period, I've found the French Chronological Classics series covers it all, and you only have to buy them one at a time.