Absolutely How Can Cupid Be So Stupid: A Timeless Jazz Gem from Jabbo Smith and His Orchestra
Let’s get one thing straight—Jabbo Smith wasn’t just another trumpet player in the jazz scene of 1938. Dude had swagger, chops, and a voice that could make you sit up and take notice. Released on Decca Records, Absolutely How Can Cupid Be So Stupid is a short but sweet slice of vintage American jazz that still slaps (yeah, I said it). And while this album might not have been the chart-topper back then, it’s got charm for days.
The title track, “How Can Cupid Be So Stupid,” hits like a warm hug from your grandma—if your grandma was cool enough to dig swing tunes. Jabbo’s vocals are smooth as butter, with just enough sass to keep things interesting. The lyrics? Cheesy in all the right ways. You can practically picture some smoky dance hall packed with folks swaying under dim lights. It’s lighthearted, sure, but there’s something about how Jabbo delivers those lines—it’s like he knows exactly how ridiculous love can be, and he’s laughing with us, not at us.
Then there’s “Absolutely.” Oh man, this one sticks because it feels like Jabbo and his band decided to throw caution to the wind and just jam out. The horns pop off, the rhythm section swings harder than a screen door in a hurricane, and Jabbo’s trumpet work? Straight fire. There’s no overthinking here—it’s pure, unfiltered joy bottled up in three minutes of music. Every time I hear it, I wanna grab someone by the hand and spin ‘em around the room until we’re both dizzy.
What makes this album stand out isn’t perfection—it’s personality. Sure, the recording quality screams 1938, but that crackle adds character, like hearing stories from an old friend who’s seen too much but still knows how to tell a good tale. Jabbo doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel; instead, he reminds us why the wheel rolls so damn well when handled by pros.
So here’s the kicker: listening to Absolutely How Can Cupid Be So Stupid today feels kinda rebellious. In a world obsessed with auto-tune and playlists longer than my grocery list, this album says, “Hey, slow down. Feel the groove. Laugh at life’s absurdity.” And honestly? We could all use more of that. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got two left feet and a sudden urge to dance.
