Jazz, blues and nostalgia, by Sjaak Roodenburg.
The Palace: 80 years back in time. 1939: the Netherlands remain neutral, but September marks a flare-up in the conflict between France, England and Germany sparking off World War II. In terms of music, we are still heavily engaged in the era of swing with the bands of Artie Shaw, Harry James and Freddy Martin.
Coleman Hawkins is recording his sensational ‘Body and Soul’, while in the Netherlands some take advantage of the mobilisation: Lou Bandy (Rats, kuch en bonen (mashed potatoes, bread and beans)), Snip & Snap (‘Blonde Mientje’ met haar hart met prikkeldraad’ (A blond girl with her barbed-wire heart)) and Johnny & Jones (‘Het regiment marcheert niet meer’ (The regiment is no longer marching)). In the United States, Billie Holiday releases ‘Strange Fruit’ a poignant allegation against the lynchings of black people.
Also: The Ink Spots, Art Tatum, Perry Como, Orrin Tucker, The Andrews Sisters, from Germany: Kurt Hohenberger (‘Warum, weshalb und wieso?’ (why and wherefore?)) and Vera Lynn who already made her first recording of ‘We’ll meet again’, a song which would become of great symbolic value:
