Shortly after these recordings, the legendary Double bass player, Tuba & Bass Saxophone player Graham Read died. This was to be his last work, so I wanted to release those songs.

- - - THE RECORDING SESSIONS - - -

These tracks were commissioned for a feature film released in early 2023. We were asked with one week notice to record a version of "Clarinet Marmalade" and "Fidgety feet" by The Original Dixie land Band (first recorded in 1918), and "Stampede" by the amazing Fletcher Henderson band (recorded in 1926). They wanted the original tempos and keys and asked to rewrite all the arrangements for a line up reduced from 12 to 5 piece. There was only one week to find a suitable recording studio in mid-June in London. We had no choice but to try to source the most knowledgeable musicians in that specific early style, praying they would be available during the busiest period for touring musicians. It was very stressful and nothing short of a miracle. We ironed the arrangements and rehearsed in the morning of the 15 June without any possible rehearsal beforehand and recorded two songs in one take during those 3 hours. We spent the 3 hours session of the afternoon on refining and nailing "Stampede" by Fletcher Henderson, which was a lot really challenging so we had to start with slower tempos.

The director was initially very pleased with the sessions, but they realised a few months later in postproduction at the editing stage that the music did not cut it. They had used "I ain't got nobody" by Fats Waller on set for the dancing scenes with actors and lots of extras, and none of the music they commissioned us to record was syncing as a result. Obviously, nobody ever thought about this. We were subsequently asked to the rescue and to record a full version of that classic track at the exact same tempo, and two shorter instrumental versions. The production team were trying to avoid paying publishing rights and get a better sound quality. Alexander Bryson pianist was not available, Graham read was dying, and so I called all the reputable jazz pianists in UK. Everybody turned it down as they thought the track was technically so challenging it was impossible to play, but fortunately the incredibly talented Liam Dunachie accepted and spent days methodically practicing the insane chops of Fats Waller. In the end we managed to record that song in a couple of takes and it fitted perfectly in the film.

Other film soundtracks recorded by Benoit Viellefon:
benoitviellefon.com/cinema