Tex Avery and All That Jazz - February 26, 2008

Almost as soon as animated cartoons learned to talk, they learned to combine that talk with jazz. The Fleischer Brothers featured Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway in their films. Warner Bros. composer Carl Stalling was influenced by bandleader Raymond Scott, and every studio referenced such names as Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Gene Krupa, Thomas "Fats" Waller, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby. With that in mind, it's somehow appropriate that today we note not one, but two anniversaries. Not only was the first jazz recording -- Livery Stable Blues by the Original Dixieland Jass (yes, "jass") Band -- made on this day in 1917, but it's also the 100th birthday of director Tex Avery.  Avery, who worked mainly at Warners and MGM, was known for his broad physical comedy and sight gags, and was instrumental in the development of such characters as Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny (to whom he lent his signature phrase of "What’s up, Doc?"), Droopy, and The Wolf. So why not put some 78s on the ol' Victrola, kick back with a big glass of Jumbo Gro, and toast Tex and the ODJB? Suggested Sites... Don Markstein's Toonopedia: Tex Avery - illustrated biography of the director. A Quickie Look at the Life and Career of Tex Avery - subtlety was always his watchword. The Red Hot Jazz Archive - learn about bands and listen to the music of the Golden Age of Jazz. Original Dixieland Jazz Band - a family operation since 1916. Tunes for Toons - abstracts from Daniel Goldman's book examining the role jazz played in early animation.