40 years after his last studio recordings as a leader, the way-over-the-hill trumpeter Jabbo Smith (who was ready to turn 70) began to attempt a long-overdue comeback. Jabbo tries his best on this set with the New Orleans Joymakers, a trad jazz quintet that includes clarinetist Orange Kellin,... [+] Expand

40 years after his last studio recordings as a leader, the way-over-the-hill trumpeter Jabbo Smith (who was ready to turn 70) began to attempt a long-overdue comeback. Jabbo tries his best on this set with the New Orleans Joymakers, a trad jazz quintet that includes clarinetist Orange Kellin, trombonist Waldren "Frog" Joseph, pianist Lars Edegran, bassist Frank Fields and drummer John Robichaux, but it was much too late for him to regain his former trumpet chops. Jabbo sings a few of the songs to compensate, but the set, which does include such numbers as "Climax Rag," "Panama," "Original Dixieland One Step" and a pair of Jabbo's originals ("Absolutely" and "Love"), was an example of too little, too late. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide [-] Collapse

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