![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Another half-an-hour of work and it was finished. Supposedly the two were together at a party when the tune began to take form. Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler had collaborated on a number of songs prior to “Stormy Weather,” including a previous Cotton Club show. However, Ellington’s Orchestra and vocalist Ivie Anderson grabbed the honors for being the first to perform the number on film, a short feature from 1933 entitled Bundle of Blues. At the time, Ellington was under contract to Brunswick Records, and Waters and the Dorseys were under contract to Columbia. Ted Lewis and His Orchestra (1933, Shirley Jay, vocal, #6) Ĭhart information used by permission from Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954Īlthough backed by Duke Ellington’s Orchestra in the show, Waters recorded the tune with the Dorsey Brothers’ Orchestra (Tommy on trombone and Jimmy on alto sax and clarinet) in May, 1933, after Reisman’s recording had been released.Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (1933, Ivie Anderson, vocal #4).Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians (1933, #2).Dorsey Brothers’ Orchestra (1933, Ethel Waters, vocal, #1).Leo Reisman Orchestra (1933, Harold Arlen, vocal, #1).Recorded in late February, 1933, this introductory performance of “Stormy Weather” was quickly released and grabbed the public’s attention. Reisman sensed the tune’s potential and let Arlen perform the number on a Victor record date. I was singing the story of my misery and confusion, of the misunderstandings in my life I couldn’t straighten out, the story of wrongs and outrages done to me by people I had loved and trusted.” Waters’ initial performance in the show drew twelve encores.Įven before the show’s opening night (April 6, 1933), composer Arlen contacted old friend and bandleader Leo Reisman in hopes of recording the tune. In Edward Jablonski’s biography Harold Arlen: Rhythm, Rainbows & Blues, Waters is quoted: “When I got out there in the middle of the Cotton Club floor, I was telling things I couldn’t frame in words. She had just been through the breakup of her marriage, and the song almost seemed to have been written with her feelings in mind. The show’s producers and the tune’s composers met with Miss Waters, and she agreed perform the song in the show, her only appearance as part of the revue. In a fortuitous turn of events, vocalist Ethel Waters returned to New York from Chicago. This left the show’s producers in tight spot since Ellington didn’t sing and they needed a “name” to feature the tune. Before the 1933 Cotton Club Parade show went into production, Calloway left the club and Ellington returned. Calloway took over the prestigious slot from Duke Ellington in February, 1931. “Stormy Weather” was originally written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for vocalist and bandleader Cab Calloway, who, along with his fine big band, had been a fixture at New York’s Cotton Club. ”’Stormy Weather’ was originally written.for vocalist and bandleader Cab Calloway.” ![]()
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