1931-1933
Artist: Don Redman & His Orchestra

The first of three Don Redman Classics CDs consists of his orchestra's earliest sessions. Although Redman's big band never hit it as big as his former employers' (Fletcher Henderson and McKinney's Cotton Pickers), it was an impressive outfit, thanks to the leader's advanced arrangements. Among the key sidemen on these performances are trumpeters... Read More

1933-1936
Artist: Don Redman & His Orchestra

The great arranger Don Redman made Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra in the mid-1920s the first real swing band, but during the swing era itself, Redman was little known to the general public. His big band (heard here on the second of three "complete" Classics CDs) failed to really catch on, although it stayed together throughout the 1930s. After... Read More

Jazz Original
Artist: Pee Wee Russell

Clarinetist Pee Wee Russell was certainly an original, squawking his way quite expressively in an unpredictable fashion, carving out his own distinctive voice. This 1997 CD is meant to augment the two-CD set called The Commodore Story, for it includes some alternate takes whose master versions are on the former release or on another CD... Read More

Dr. Jazz Series, Vol. 13
Artist: Jimmy Archey

Trombonist Jimmy Archey spent most of his career as a sideman, but he had an opportunity in the early 50s to lead the remnants of a unit formerly headed by Bob Wilber. The performances on this 1997 CD are taken from the Dr. Jazz radio series of 1952. In addition to Archey and trumpeter Henry Goodwin (who was rarely featured at greater length... Read More

Legendary New Orleans Trumpet Story 1923-1939
Artist: Tommy Ladnier
A Perfect Match: A Tribute to Hodges & Wild Bill Davis
Artist: Bob Wilber

In the 1960s altoist Johnny Hodges and organist Wild Bill Davis recorded eight albums together, several of which included trombonist Lawrence Brown. This 1997 set sounds very similar to that band and would probably confuse listeners in a blindfold test. Bob Wilber, normally a soprano saxophonist and clarinetist, always did sound a bit like... Read More

With His American Friends
Artist: Django Reinhardt

The brilliant gypsy swing guitarist Django Reinhardt is most famous for his work with the Quintet of the Hot Club of France, an all-string group also including violinist Stephane Grappelli, two rhythm guitarists, and a bassist. However, through the years he also had opportunities to record with American stars. In some cases, they were added to a... Read More