LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1928-1929 | The Classics Chronological Series – 570 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

By June of 1928 Louis Armstrong had refined himself and his ensemble to the point where nearly every record they made was a study in collective genius, as the mature edition of the Hot Five resounded with Zutty Singleton's popping cymbals and Earl Hines' modernistic piano. The entire idiom of classic jazz is defined in part by the lively, well-oiled precision of "Fireworks," the humorous dialogue leading into the leader's velvety vocal on "A Monday Date" and the stunning vocal trio harmonies laid over Fats Waller's "Squeeze Me." On July 5, 1928, the Five found themselves surrounded by six other players to form a big band designated for posterity as Carroll Dickerson's Savoyagers. This interesting experiment in upsizing pointed in the direction that Armstrong was headed, for within one year, with violinist Dickerson in tow, the trumpeter would be performing in front of a significantly larger ensemble. For the time being, Armstrong's sextet began calling itself his Orchestra or, when Don Redman was in on the gig, his Savoy Ballroom Five. This portion of the Armstrong chronology is deliciously packed with some of his greatest moments on record. "Weather Bird" is an especially satisfying Hines/Armstrong duet update of King Oliver's "Weather Bird Rag." At the beginning of 1929 Armstrong headed back to New York City, where on the 5th of March he recorded the famous "Knockin' a Jug" with Jack Teagarden, Happy Caldwell, Joe Sullivan, Kaiser Marshall, and Eddie Lang. On the same day a gorgeous rendition of "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" was presented by the Luis Russell Orchestra in one of its most dazzling incarnations: drummer Paul Barbarin, bassist Pops Foster, guitarist Lonnie Johnson, Eddie Condon on the banjo, Russell at the piano, and a front line of Teddy Hill, Charlie Holmes, Albert Nicholas, J.C. Higginbotham, and Louis Armstrong. arwulf arwulf    Tracklist + Credits :

FRANKIE TRUMBAUER AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1932-1936 | The Chronogical Classics – 1275 (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The 1930s recordings of C-melody saxophonist Frankie Trumbauer are fairly obscure, particularly compared to his classic 1927-29 collaborations with Bix Beiderbecke. This set starts with a couple sessions from 1932 that feature a large ensemble mostly taken from the Paul Whiteman Orchestra. A couple of interesting medleys benefit from fine arrangements and the band also sounds strong on "Business in Q" and "The Newest St. Louis Blues." There are two sessions from 1934 that feature trumpeter Charlie Teagarden and trombonist Jack Teagarden (who sings "Emaline" and "'Long About Midnight") and includes a version of Beiderbecke's "In a Mist." The other session from 1934 has spots for trumpeter Bunny Berigan and clarinetist Artie Shaw while the numbers from 1936 again include both Charlie and Jack Teagarden. The material is pretty jazz-oriented and some of the other memorable tracks are "China Boy," "Breakin' in a Pair of Shoes" and "Somebody Loves Me." This is excellent music that serves as a transition between the classic jazz of the 1920s and swing. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist + Credits :

FRANKIE TRUMBAUER AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1936-1946 | The Chronogical Classics – 1331 (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Despite the fact that, compared to his contemporaries like Jack Teagarden and Artie Shaw, there are relatively few Frankie Trumbauer recordings as a leader, this period, from the mid-'30s to the mid-'40s, is arguably his most satisfying. Here with the Three Ts (Trumbauer with Jack and Charlie Teagarden) and leading a few bands with Shaw, Pee Wee Erwin, Carl Kress, Matty Matlock, John Kiefer, Bob Haggart, and more as sidemen, Trumbauer laid down some of his most memorable sessions, recording tunes such as "'S Wonderful," "Ain't Misbehavin'," "I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance," and 18 more. Along with Teagarden's stunning vocal style, reaching its peak during these years, and the deep swinging blues approach, these sides have been ignored for far too long under Trumbauer's signature.
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Tracklist + Credits :

JOE VENUTI – 1930-1933 | The Chronogical Classics – 1276 (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :

ART TATUM – 1932-1934 | The Classics Chronological Series – 507 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This comprehensive CD contains Art Tatum's very first recording (a broadcast version of "Tiger Rag"), four selections in which he accompanies singer Adelaide Hall (along with a second pianist) and then his first 20 solo sides. To call his virtuosic piano style remarkable would be a major understatement; he has to be heard to be believed. His studio version of "Tiger Rag" may very well be his most incredible recording; he sounds like three pianists at once. Scott Yanow
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BENNY GOODMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1931-1933 | The Classics Chronological Series – 719 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first half of this chronological release of Benny Goodman's 1931-1933 recordings is comprised of dance band performances from 1931 -- 12 selections with vocals from Paul Small, Smith Ballew, and Dick Robertson that have little to recommend them except excellent musicianship. The jazz content is pretty low and even Goodman is not heard from much. This is from the era when the clarinetist earned his employment as a studio musician. The final ten numbers are from 1933 and are of greater interest. Trombonist/singer Jack Teagarden is well featured on six songs, Billie Holiday makes her hesitant recording debut on "Your Mother's Son-in-Law" and "Riffin' the Scotch," and there are some fine solos along the way by both Jack and Charlie Teagarden, pianist Joe Sullivan, and Goodman. This is still Benny Goodman pre-history, for he would not attempt to lead a big band until 1934. Scott Yanow
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GEORGE WETTLING – 1940-1944 | The Classics Chronological Series – 909 (1996) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Chicago percussionist George Wettling was famous for his delightful old-fashioned rim-tapping and rock-solid support behind jazz bands both large and small. He was practically the house drummer for Commodore Records and appears on the majority of Eddie Condon's recordings. For the seasoned traditional jazz fanatic, an entire CD documenting a series of sessions led (or fortified) by George Wettling is like some sort of a dream come true. Although mostly typical of what music historians call Chicago-style traditional jazz, everything here was recorded in the Big Apple. On January 16, 1940, Wettling's Chicago Rhythm Kings ground out four excellent sides for release on the Decca label. The lineup is incredible -- trumpeter Charlie Teagarden, trombonist Floyd O'Brien, clarinetist Danny Polo, and Joe Marsala -- usually associated with the clarinet, heard here on tenor sax -- backed by Jess Stacy, Jack Bland, Artie Shapiro, and Wettling. In March of 1940, Wettling recorded a pair of fine duets with pianist Dick Cary. Rodgers & Hart's lively "You Took Advantage of Me" brings to mind the terrific version that Wettling made with Bud Freeman and Jess Stacy back in 1938. The Dick Cary records and four sides by the George Wettling Jazz Trio were issued by the Black & White label. The trio in question involved pianist Gene Schroeder and clarinetist Mezz Mezzrow. Although the Classics liner notes take potshots at Mezzrow's "technical shortcomings," an unbiased listener will sense no such deficiency and might even appreciate the refreshingly funky informality of this or any other session in which Mezzrow took part. By the way, this has got to be the slowest, most relaxed version of "China Boy" ever recorded, up until Wettling kicks it up into third gear and they cook it to a gravy. The George Wettling Rhythm Kings assembled again in an almost completely different incarnation on July 21, 1944. Four tasty sides were sautéed for the Commodore catalog, beginning with the old "Heebie Jeebies." Wettling, with pianist Dave Bowman and bassist Bob Haggart, supported a front line of Billy Butterfield, Wilbur DeParis, and Edmond Hall. Anybody who loves and respects the memory of DeParis will want to obtain this CD in order to have this session on hand at all times. It's also great to have four Keynote sides recorded on December 12th by George Wettling's New Yorkers. Harry Lim's Keynote project often mingled players from different backgrounds, and this band is an extreme example of this tendency at work. Jack Teagarden -- he sings two of these melodies in his warm, soothing voice -- is joined by trumpeter Joe Thomas, clarinetist Hank D'Amico, the mighty Coleman Hawkins, lightning pianist Herman Chittison, bassist Billy Taylor, and the always dependable George Wettling. If this band sounds as though it had little time for rehearsing, that's a good thing. It's what this kind of jazz is all about. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist + Credits :

JACK TEAGARDEN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1930-1934 | The Classics Chronological Series – 698 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This Classics CD has the first 23 titles ever issued under the leadership of trombonist Jack Teagarden. Many of these selections were formerly rare, particularly the earlier titles on Domino, Banner and Crown. Best is the session that co-starred pianist/vocalist Fats Waller and, while some of the titles are a bit commercial, Teagarden's playing (and that of his better sidemen) uplift the music; "A Hundred Years from Today" is a classic. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Son of the Sun 2:25
Rudolf Friml
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
2     You're Simply Delish 2:42
Arthur Freed / Joseph Meyer
Vocals – Eddie Gale
3     Just a Little Dance, Mam'selle 3:02
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
Ben Gordon / Chas OFlynn / Pete Wendling
4     Rockin' Chair 3:00
Hoagy Carmichael
Vocals – Eddie Miller, Nappy Lamare
5     Loveless Love 2:49
W.C. Handy
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
6     You Rascal You 3:12
Sam Theard    
Vocals – Fats Waller, Jack Teagarden
7     That's What I Like About You 3:24
Walter Donaldson
Vocals – Fats Waller, Jack Teagarden
8    Chances Are 3:13
Gus Arnheim / Harry Barris / Arthur Freed
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
9     I Got the Ritz from the One I Love 3:25
Harry Barris / J.C. Lewis
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
10     China Boy 3:06
Phil Boutelje / Dick Winfree
11     Lies 3:10
Harry Barris / George E. Springer
Vocals – Gene Austin
12     I'm Sorry Dear 3:00
Raymond Scott / Charles Tobias / Harold Weeks
Vocals – Gene Austin
13     Tiger Rag 3:06
Harry Da Costa / Eddie Edwards / Nick LaRocca / Henry W. Ragas / Tony Sbarbaro / Larry Shields
14     I've Got It 3:08
David Rose / Jack Teagarden
15     Plantation Moods 3:24
Fred Rose / Jack Teagarden
16     Shake Your Hips 3:23
Fred Rose / Jack Teagarden
17     Someone Stole Gabriel's Horn 3:00
Edgar Hayes / Irving Mills / Ned Washington
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
18     Love Me 3:03
Ned Washington / Victor Young
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
19     Blue River 2:57
Ned Washington / Victor Young
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
20     A Hundred Years from Today 3:07
Ned Washington / Victor Young
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
21     I Just Couldn't Take It, Baby 2:55
Mann Holiner / Alberta Nichols
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
22     Fare-Thee-Well to Harlem 3:06
Bernie Hanighen / Johnny Mercer
Vocals – Jack Teagarden, Nappy Lamare
23     Ol' Pappy 3:03
Jerry Levinson / Marty Symes
Vocals – Jack Teagarden, Nappy Lamare
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Buddy Fisk (tracks: 14 to 17)
Banjo, Guitar – Nappy Lamare (tracks: 1 to 13)
Bass Saxophone – Adrian Rollini (tracks: 6 to 9)
Bass [String Bass] – Artie Bernstein (tracks: 6 to 9, 18 to 23), Eddie Gilbert (tracks: 14 to 17)
Bass [String Bass], Brass Bass – Harry Goodman (tracks: 1 to 5, 10 to 13)
Clarinet – Benny Goodman (tracks: 4, 5), Pee Wee Russell (tracks: 6 to 9)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Chester Hazlett (tracks: 18 to 23), Gil Rodin (tracks: 1 to 5, 10 to 13), Jimmy Dorsey (tracks: 18 to 23), Matty Matlock (tracks: 1 to 3, 10 to 13), Rod Cless (tracks: 14 to 17)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Dale Skinner (tracks: 14 to 17), Eddie Miller (2) (tracks: 1 to 5, 10 to 13), Joe Catalyne (tracks: 6 to 9), Max Farley (tracks: 6 to 9), Mutt Hayes (tracks: 18 to 23)
Directed By – Victor Young (tracks: 18 to 23)
Drums – Bob Consolman (tracks: 14 to 17), Larry Gomar (tracks: 18 to 23), Ray Bauduc (tracks: 1 to 5, 10 to 13), Stan King (tracks: 6 to 9)
Guitar – Dick McPartland (tracks: 14 to 17), Frank Worrell (tracks: 22, 23), Perry Botkin (tracks: 18 to 21)
Piano – Charles LaVere (tracks: 14 to 17), Fats Waller (tracks: 6 to 10, 13), Gil Bowers (tracks: 1 to 5, 11, 12), Joe Meresco (tracks: 18 to 23)
Tenor Saxophone – Bud Freeman (tracks: 14 to 17)
Trombone – Jack Teagarden, Tom Moore (tracks: 14 to 17)
Trumpet – Charlie Spivak (tracks: 1 to 5), Charlie Teagarden (tracks: 6 to 17), Claude Whiteman (tracks: 14 to 17), Frank Guarente (tracks: 18 to 23), Sterling Bose (tracks: 4 to 13, 18 to 23), Tommy Thunen (tracks: 1 to 3)
Violin – Joe Venuti (tracks: 22, 23), Lou Kosloff (tracks: 22, 23), Walt Edelstein (tracks: 18 to 23)

JACK TEAGARDEN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1934-1939 | The Classics Chronological Series – 729 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Shortly before selling his soul to Paul Whiteman for five long years, trombonist Weldon Leo "Jack" Teagarden and his orchestra made three beautiful recordings that still sound uncommonly cool, honest, and authentic. This session, which took place in New York on September 18, 1934, closes out Teagarden's early years as a bandleader. The instrumental "Junk Man" is a relaxed blues ambulation of remarkable depth and subtlety, featuring string harpist Casper Reardon who swung easily in a style similar to that of Robert Maxwell. Flanked by Benny Goodman and Frankie Trumbauer, Jack's brother Charlie Teagarden blew some of his best trumpet on record. Texas crooner Mr. T sang on two of the three records made that day, handsomely drawling the words to "Stars Fell on Alabama," as if lyricist Frank Perkins had devised them just for him. Years passed. The minute his contract with Whiteman expired, Teagarden resumed making records under his own name for the Brunswick label on April 14, 1939, collaborating with trumpeter Charlie Spivak in leading a 15-piece orchestra that operated in a sort of Dorsey/Goodman/Barnet groove, with lush harmonies emanating from the trombone section. Present in this band were arranger Fred Van Eps, Jr. and saxophonist John Van Eps, sons of legendary early 20th century ragtime banjoist Fred Van Eps and brothers of jazz guitar wizard George Van Eps. The other important participant here was the great Ernie Caceres, heard playing clarinet and tenor sax in addition to his customary baritone. "Persian Rug," which first entered the jazz repertoire back in 1928 as a sort of chamber jazz oddity by Fats Waller and the Louisiana Sugar Babes, here becomes a punchy big-band workout. Teagarden's vocals are invariably warm and delightful, and there are only occasional incursions by conventional big-band singers Jeanie Arnold and Linda Keene. Of the four remaining instrumentals, "Pickin' for Patsy" is a relatively modernistic feature for guitarist Allan Reuss, "Undertow" a soothing nocturne for jazz orchestra, "Blues to the Dole" a laid-back big-band embodiment of Teagarden's personality and most excitingly, a full ensemble arrangement of Willie "The Lion" Smith's masterpiece, "Rippling Waters." arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist :
1    Junk Man    3:04
 Frank Loesser / George W. Meyer
2    Stars Fell On Alabama 3:00
 Mitchell Parish / Frank Perkins
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
3    Your Guess Is As Good As Mine 2:45
 Al Goodhart / Al Hoffman / Maurice Sigler
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
4    Persian Rug 2:19
 Gus Kahn / Neil Moret
Arranged By – Red Bone
5    The Sheik Of Araby 2:37
 Harry Beasley Smith / Ted Snyder / Francis Wheeler
Vocals – Jack Teagarden, Meredith Blake
6    Class Will Tell 2:37
 Joe Burke / Edgar Leslie
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
7    If It's Good (Then I Want It) 2:51
 Walter Hirsch / Gerald Marks
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
8    Cinderella, Stay In My Arms 2:50
 Michael Carr / Jimmy Kennedy
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
9    I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues 2:40
 Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
10    That's Right - I'm Wrong 2:22
 Stanley Adams / Hoagy Carmichael
Vocals – Jean Arnold
11    Yankee Doodle 2:54
 Traditional
Arranged By – Fred van Eps Jr.
Vocals – Jean Arnold
12    White Sails (Beneath A Silver Moon) 3:13
Archer / Kenny
Vocals – Linda Keene
13    Octoroon 3:23
 Harry Warren
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
14    Pickin' For Patsy    2:39
 Allan Reuss / Jack Teagarden
15    Undertow    3:20
 Edgar Battle / Glenn Miller
16    Especially For You 2:57
 Orrin Tucker
Vocals – Linda Keene
17    You Know (Just As Well As I Know) 2:47
 Joe King
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
18    You're The Moment In My Life 2:48
 Henry Nemo
Vocals – Linda Keene
19    The Little Man Who Wasn't There 2:43
 Harold Adamson / Bernie Hanighen
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
20    Puttin' And Takin' 3:00
 Gene DePaul / Al Jacobs
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
21    I Swung The Election 2:31
 Glenn Miller / Jack Teagarden
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
22    Blues To The Dole    2:48
 Edgar Battle / Franz Jackson
23    Aunt Hagar's Blues 2:45
 Tim Brymn / W.C. Handy
Vocals – Jack Teagarden
24    Rippling Waters    2:30
 Willie "The Lion" Smith
Credits :    
Bass [String Bass] – Art Miller
Clarinet – Benny Goodman (tracks: 1 to 3)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Art St. John (tracks: 4 to 24), Clint Garvin (tracks: 4 to 24)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Hub Lytle (tracks: 4 to 24), John Van Eps (tracks: 4 to 24)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Ernie Caceres (tracks: 4 to 24)
Drums – Cubby Teagarden (tracks: 4 to 24), Herb Quigley (tracks: 1 to 3)
Guitar – Allan Reuss (tracks: 4 to 24)
Harp – Casper Reardon (tracks: 1 to 3)
Piano – John Anderson (tracks: 4 to 24), Terry Shand (tracks: 1 to 3)
Saxophone [C Melody] – Frankie Trumbauer (tracks: 1 to 3)
Trombone – Charles McCamish (tracks: 7 to 24), Jack Teagarden, Jose Gutierrez (tracks: 4 to 24), Mark Bennett (tracks: 4 to 24), Red Bone (tracks: 4 to 6)
Trumpet – Alec Fila (tracks: 4 to 6), Charlie Spivak (tracks: 4 to 24), Charlie Teagarden (tracks: 1 to 3), Carl Garvin (tracks: 4 to 24), Lee Castle (tracks: 7 to 24)