We have encountered jazz vocalist June Richmond a couple of times in the past, once singing with Roy Milton’s band, then as a solo artist appearing under her own name. Today, from a March 1945 session, we featured June and a real swinger called “Mr. Jackson from Jacksonville.” The talent contract suggests that the tune was brought to Soundies producer William Forest Crouch by Joe Glaser, who was likely managing June’s career at this time. Some online sources suggest that the tune was written by Lil Green, but this is unsubstantiated, probably someone’s guess because Green introduced the song on record. I am fairly certain that the composer/ lyricist is Claude De Metrius, a songwriter and occasional sideline extra who is seen here as Mr. Jackson.
Regardless of the composer, this song is in the right hands – or perhaps right vocal cords – with June Richmond. June was one of the most underrated swing vocalists, this despite a fair amount of exposure with the big bands of Jimmy Dorsey and Andy Kirk. As I mentioned in an earlier clip description,June possessed a robust voice, spot-on pitch, an intense sense of swing, and visual presence that made her immensely popular with listeners. This Soundie allows us to add the phrase “impressive scat singer” to June’s artistic curriculum vitae.The group backing June is composed of trumpet, clarinet, and rhythm. While it is often skating on thin ice to suggest that a group sounds “black” or “white,” I am donning my skates to suggest that the quality of swing, and the instrumental sound, says to me that this is likely an unidentified African-American back-up combo. I would love to hear any thoughts from our group in terms of this speculation.
All of these considerations are, of course, quite secondary. This is one heck of a swinging Soundie, it is a pleasure to be able to share it with our group.