The famed critic Leonard Feather wrote, "Oscar Alem has more swing than any other guitarist on the continent" and, "His tone, phrasing, swing, and attack are so grand that if anyone ever mentions Django Reinhardt to me again, I shall stare coldly." Born in 1909, the famed Argentinean guitarist played with the best jazz musicians of the 20s and 30s, including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Django. He was hired by Josephine Baker to lead her band, the Baker Boys at the Cafe de Paris. After the war began, Alem returned to Argentina, where he lived, taught and performed until his death at age 71. The two albums here date from 1965 and 1975, and are among his last recordings.
8 En Un Pueblecito Espa Ol [In a Little Spanish Town]
9 LL Vame Volando a la Luna [Fly Me to the Moon]
10 Rosa Madreselva [Honeysuckle Rose]
11 Eso Que Llaman Amor [What Is This Thing Called Love]
12 O Vestido de Bolero
13 De Buen Humor [In the Mood]
14 Tengo Ritmo [I Got Rhythm]
15 Saudade de Bahia
16 Tono No. 1
17 Para Mi Eres Divina [Bei Mir, Bist Du SCH N]
18 Caravana
19 La Banda de Alejandro [Alexander's Ragtime Band]
The famed critic Leonard Feather wrote, "Oscar Alem has more swing than any other guitarist on the continent" and, "His tone, phrasing, swing, and attack are so grand that if anyone ever mentions Django Reinhardt to me again, I shall stare coldly." Born in 1909, the famed Argentinean guitarist played with the best jazz musicians of the 20s and 30s, including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Django. He was hired by Josephine Baker to lead her band, the Baker Boys at the Cafe de Paris. After the war began, Alem returned to Argentina, where he lived, taught and performed until his death at age 71. The two albums here date from 1965 and 1975, and are among his last recordings.
