Bug Music (album) explained

Bug Music
Type:	Studio
Artist:	Don Byron
Cover:	Don Byron - Bug Music (1996).jpg
Released:	1996
Recorded:	May 1996
Studio:	Master Sound Studios, Astoria, NY
Genre:	Jazz
Length:	53:12
Label:	Nonesuch 7559-79313
Producer:	Don Byron
Chronology:	Don Byron
Prev Title:	No Vibe Zone
Prev Year:	1996
Next Title:	Nu Blaxploitation
Next Year:	1998

Bug Music is an album by clarinetist Don Byron featuring music from the 1930s, specifically Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, John Kirby, and Raymond Scott. It was released on the Nonesuch label in 1996.^[1]

Reception

The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow stated "Other than a silly rendition of Ellington's 'Blue Bubbles' and an adventurous interpretation of 'Snibor,' the selections are played with respect and great understanding of the somewhat forgotten style. None of the modern musicians sound as if swing were only their second language, making the continually surprising set a major success." The album peaked at #4 on the Billboard jazz charts in February 1997.^[2]

Track listing

All music transcribed and arranged by Don Byron.

1. "The Dicty Glide" (Duke Ellington) – 3:15
2. "Frasquita Serenade" (F. Lehar, H. Reichert, A.M. Willner) – 2:50
3. "St. Louis Blues" (William C. Handy) - 2:52
4. "Wondering Where" (Charles Shavers) - 2:50
5. "Bounce of the Sugar Plum Fairies" (Tchaikovsky, Louis C. Singer) - 1:39
6. "Charley's Prelude" (Louis C. Singer) - 2:47
7. "Royal Garden Blues" (Clarence Williams, Spencer Williams) - 1:50
8. "Siberian Sleighride" (Raymond Scott) - 2:50
9. "The Penguin" (Raymond Scott) - 2:47
10. "The Quintet Plays Carmen" (Raymond Scott) - 2:51
11. "Powerhouse" (Raymond Scott) - 2:54
12. "Tobacco Auctioneer" (Raymond Scott) - 2:35
13. "War Dance for Wooden Indians" (Raymond Scott) - 2:32
14. "Cotton Club Stomp" (Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges) - 2:45
15. "Blue Bubbles" (Duke Ellington) - 3:24
16. "SNIBOR" (Billy Strayhorn) - 9:48

Personnel

• Don Byron – clarinet, baritone saxophone, conductor
• Steve Wilson - alto saxophone
• Robert DeBellis - tenor saxophone
• Charles Lewis - trumpet
• Steven Bernstein - trumpet
• James Zollar - trumpet
• Craig Harris - trombone
• Uri Caine - piano, vocals
• Paul Meyers - banjo
• David Gilmore - guitar
• Kenny Davis - bass
• Pheeroan akLaff - drums
• Billy Hart - drums
• Joey Baron - drums
• Dean Bowman - vocals

Notes and References

1. https://www.nonesuch.com/albums/bug-music Don Byron's Bug Music on Nonesuch Records
2. Web site: Byron's Bug Music Climbing the Charts . Heckman . Don . LA Times. 14 February 1997 . 2020-06-19.