Download Instrumental Just what is the “Jitterbug” anyway? Anyone over 50 knows that it’s a dance (it’s also a fishing lure but that’s of little consequence here). Cab Calloway introduced the term “jitterbug” in his 1934 hit Call of the Jitterbug. Apparently, there is a strong relationship between jitterbug dancers and liquor – the first line of Cab’s song is “If you’d like to be a jitter bug, first thing you must do is get a jug”. If you’ve seen the dance, you know there has to be a jug involved somewhere.
Whenever anyone asked us to do a jitterbug tune, we’d trot out “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” or this one – “Jump, Jive and Wail”. This was the more interesting of the two. I get a kick out of arranging big band music anyway – so many instruments, so little time – but the beat is what makes this a terrific jitterbug swing number. Louis Prima came out with this one in 1956, then due to a resurgence of swing in the 90’s, The Brian Seltzer Orchestra (love that band) re-recorded it and made it into something way more hip.
So, the next time someone cries out “Jitterbug”, it’s not time to find an exterminator – it’s time to play “Jump, Jive and Wail” and watch them hit the dance floor. You know that’s what you want them to do…. and tip.
You might see a little jiggerbugging on the link below:
Stageworthy Backing Tracks by Dave Zobrist 