The Ramblers In Brussels 1945-1948

The Ramblers was a Dutch swing band that made its first recordings in 1929 and lasted until the mid-1950s. It is perhaps best known for accompanying Coleman Hawkins on some classic recordings when he lived overseas in the mid-to-late 1930s. Somehow the group not only continued performing during the Nazi occupation years but made records during those dark years, using Dutch names for the songs even when the tune was based on an American swing standard. In 1945 the Ramblers emerged from World War II. at the peak of its power. It had grown from a nonet to a 16-piece swing orchestra. The Ramblers In Brussel (1945-1948) [sic] is a CD put out by the Dutch Doctor Jazz magazine. While its extensive liner notes are in Dutch, there are excellent photos throughout the CD’s booklet, the personnel and song titles are easy to read, and there is no language barrier to the music. None of the names of the musicians (other than Francis Bay, a future swing bandleader who plays trombone on one song) will be known to today’s listeners. However the musicianship is high-quality, the ensembles are tight and swinging, the solos are colorful, and the six vocals (from three different vocalists) are in English. Such familiar songs as “Dinah,” “You Made Me Love You,” “Candy” and “My Melancholy Baby” are given fresh arrangements while the lesser-known songs (which include some riff-filled
You've read three articles this month! That makes you one of a rare breed, the true jazz fan!

The Syncopated Times is a monthly publication covering traditional jazz, ragtime and swing. We have the best historic content anywhere, and are the only American publication covering artists and bands currently playing Hot Jazz, Vintage Swing, or Ragtime. Our writers are legends themselves, paid to bring you the best coverage possible. Advertising will never be enough to keep these stories coming, we need your SUBSCRIPTION. Get unlimited access for $30 a year or $50 for two.

Not ready to pay for jazz yet? Register a Free Account for two weeks of unlimited access without nags or pop ups.

Already Registered? Log In

If you shouldn't be seeing this because you already logged in try refreshing the page.

Since 1975 Scott Yanow has been a regular reviewer of albums in many jazz styles. He has written for many jazz and arts magazines, including JazzTimes, Jazziz, Down Beat, Cadence, CODA, and the Los Angeles Jazz Scene, and was the jazz editor for Record Review. He has written an in-depth biography on Dizzy Gillespie for AllMusic.com. He has authored 11 books on jazz, over 900 liner notes for CDs and over 20,000 reviews of jazz recordings.

Yanow was a contributor to and co-editor of the third edition of the All Music Guide to Jazz. He continues to write for Downbeat, Jazziz, the Los Angeles Jazz Scene, the Jazz Rag, the New York City Jazz Record and other publications.

Or look at our Subscription Options.