Joe Haymes—”You Can’t Pull The Wool Over My Eyes (1936)

In 1936, jazz band leader/composer/arranger/conductor Joe Haymes was billed as “smooth,” “smart” and “sophisticated” as well as “one of the creators of modern swing.” For more than five years Haymes had weekly radio broadcast with his Columbia Broadcasting Orchestra, consisting of five brass, three saxophones and four rhythm.

”You Can’t Pull The Wood Over My Eyes,” a composition by Milton Ager, Charles Newman and Murray Mencher, was recorded in New York on May 14, 1936. With Joe Haymes directing Cliff Weston, Gordon Griffith and Zeke Zarchy-trumpets; Mike Michaels and Frank Llewellyn-trombones; Edgar Sampson-alto saxophone; Freddy Fellensby-tenor saxophone; Ben Harrod-baritone saxophone; Bill Miller-piano; Brick Fleagle-guitar; Charlie Bush-double bass; and Jack Faye-drums. The vocalist is trumpet player Cliff Weston, who was billed at the time as “personality singer.”

After studying drums and piano as a youngster, Missourian Joseph Lawrence Haymes (1907-1964) became an arranger for Ted Weems. Haymes was considered one of the best in the business as an arranger and was particularly admired in New York and on the West Coast.

Early in 1934, Haymes put together a swing group with assistance from arranger Spud Murphy. When Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey split in 1935, Tommy arranged a deal with Haymes to take over the latter’s group. Haymes himself hired several of Charlie Barnett‘s musicians for a new band, which recorded for ARC from 1935-1937.

In 1938, Joe Haymes became an arranger for Les Brown. From the 1940s into the late 1950s he worked as an arranger for Hollywood studios. During the 1950s his chief employer was the Lawrence Welk tv-show. But Joe Haymes also found the time to perform solo in Los Angeles piano bars.

Wim Demmenie

Jazz Aficionado from The Netherlands.

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