Customer Reviews

1922-1945

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Kid Ory was the first great trombone in Jazz,playing in New Orleans bands until the Storyville exodus ca.1917 when he moved to the West Coast to front the hot & brilliant little band that makes up the first 7 sides on this great CD in 1922;apart from being the first records by an African American jazz band,these records are superior to the Original Dixieland Jazz Band's (who played much too fast and shrill),-just listen here to "Ory's Creole Trombone" and savor the beauty of the New Orleans school of collective polyphony.You appreciate what a tremendous Team Player Ory was - he never overplays or outshines,he has his ear on the whole tune at all times.
The remainder of the CD showcases Ory's brilliant combo from the mid-1940s and any track here can serve as classroom listening for a Music Appreciation class in JAZZ,- like a piece of Chinese porcelain,this Art is delicately constructed yet powerful in its effect, a track such as the stately rendering of "High Society" aptly illustrates the art of New Orleans jazz for all ears.If you want to hear good,solid Jazz by a gifted team player then buy this CD now!

Kid Ory was one of the great survivors of jazz. Born in 1886, he led bands in New Orleans during world war one, was the leading jazz trombone player of the 1920s (recording with Oliver, Armstrong and Morton), retired during the depression and then reappeared in the 1940s to lead one of the best New Orleans revival bands of the period, and continued to play until the 1960s.

This CD includes some of the most important recordings Ory made as leader. The first seven tracks, credited as by "Spikes Seven Pods of Pepper" but in fact by Ory's band, are historically important in that they are the earliest known recordings by an African - American New Orleans jazzband, dating from 1922. The first two tracks are instrumentals, with the remainder being accompaniments to dreadful women singers, allegedly girfriends of band members.

Far more essential is the remainder of the CD, recorded in the early part of Ory's revival. The band was a fine one, featuring the great but under-rated New Orleans trumpeter Mutt Carey (also present on the 1922 sides), whose muted trumpet gives a tartness to the band, either Omer Simeon, Darnell Howard or Joe Darensburg on clarinet, and the great New Orleans rhythm section of Buster Wilson (Jelly Roll Morton - influenced pianist), Bud Scott (guitar), Ed Garland (string bass) and Alton Red or Minor Hall on drums.

The repertoire is made up largely of New Orleans standards plus a couple of creole songs, but the band is a cohesive unit, and Mutt Carey in particular is in excellent understated form. Ory's later bands become somewhat routine, but this 1944-45 ensemble produces disciplined but exciting New Orleans jazz in the classic tradition. Along with Bunk Johnson's American Music sides and the Albert Nicholas / Don Ewell / Baby Dodds trios, this is essential music from the revival.

Strongly recommended.