The Moe Koffman Quartette - The Swingin' Shepherd Blues

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Moe Koffman Swingin' Shepherds Blues 1958 '50s Canadian Pop Jazz Instrumental
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  • Added: 17-Apr-08

Originally issued February 1958 in Canada on Quality 1690 and in the US on Jubilee 5311.

Morris Koffman (1928-2001) was born in Toronto. He made his first recordings in 1948, and played as featured soloist (flute, sax, clarinet) with the big bands of Charlie Barnet and Jimmy Dorsey.

In 1957, he signed with Jubilee Records in New York, and made this record. Its original title was "Blues A La Canadiana," but it was changed at the suggestion of the engineer at the sesssion at RCA Studios on Mutual Street in Toronto, to "The Swingin' Shepherd Blues." It became an international smash, and eventually won a BMI award for one million logged plays.

It remained his biggest hit over a career spanning four decades, during which he played before royalty and heads of state, becoming a legend. Many honors and awards were bestowed upon him, including the Order of Canada.

Curiously, if ever this song is played, it is more likely to be one of several remakes he cut over the years. Here's the original recording, clean as a whistle.

Note: the label on the Virgo reissue single pictured misidentifes his group as a Septette; there were only four players.

  1. Categories: Music & Dance
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The Moe Koffman Quartette - The Swingin' Shepherd Blues

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  • ahh kool beanz!! ...

    ahh kool beanz!!
    we're playin this
    in jazz band!!!!
    This song is awesome!!!!!

    By mochaseefus [Affiliate User] 1227147342 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • I play flute. Im a ...

    I play flute.

    Im a guy.

    I see what your getting at.

    By BF117 [Affiliate User] 1227016270 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • This is and will ...

    This is and will always be a great tune. I learned all but the bridge when I started to play guitar in the 50s. I never pursued the bridge (it was to difficult at that time)until I started jamming with a new friend a couple of months ago. I played what I new one time and he said that's a great tune lets work on it. I then wanted to learn the whole song and found it here. Thanks for putting it in here for me to learn.

    By JohnMagg [Affiliate User] 1223511539 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • I was a nerd in ...

    I was a nerd in 1957, but I played the flute (natch). When this song came out, suddenly I got laid every weekend. Thank you Moe Koffman.

    By vanhall123 [Affiliate User] 1220653737 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Holy cow.... ...

    Holy cow....Suddenly I'm riding in my folks' '57 Ford Custom 300, with the radio on!

    By MIKEPREAMP [Affiliate User] 1219637583 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Koffman & my Dad ...

    Koffman & my Dad played together about a dozen times. They were both reed men. Dad used to kid him about the popularity of this draggy old blues. Called it a "piece of S**t ." Moe agreed, saying,"I needed the money."

    By minor7b5b9 [Affiliate User] 1218456889 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • You're very welcome ...

    You're very welcome! Glad I could be the one to end your search.

    By mojofilter02 [Affiliate User] 1217553213 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Mojofilter02 you ...

    Mojofilter02 you ripper. Been searching for this original version for years. I've found my white whale. Thanks for posting it.

    By sognol [Affiliate User] 1217552878 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • does anybody have ...

    does anybody have any info on Ron Rully the drummer

    By dougmcmahon [Affiliate User] 1216841187 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Just a classic, ...

    Just a classic, Moe did some good stuff, my partner has an old album called Museum Pieces or something like that which is one of her favourite records ever.

    By secordman [Affiliate User] 1216589902 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
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