Relatively little music was recorded in New Orleans during the 1920s, and what does exist was due to "field trips" taken by staff members of the Victor, Columbia, Brunswick, and Okeh labels. This valuable CD (released by a small British label) features a set by Louis Dumaine's Jazzola Eight, both instrumentally and backing singers Genevieve Davis and Ann Cook. In addition, there are excellent overlapping groups headed by pianist Johnnie Miller and drummer Monk Hazel that feature trumpeter Sharkey Bonano and clarinetist Sidney Arodin, and are inspired a bit by The New Orleans Rhythm Kings. However, the main reason to pick up this disc is to acquire the four songs (plus two alternate takes) performed by Jones and Collins Astoria Hot Eight, a legendary band featuring trumpeter Lee Collins in 1920 that ranks with the hottest groups of the period. This CD is easily recommended to fans of 1920s jazz. ~ Scott Yanow|
Rovi