Various Artists - New Orleans Styles (CD)

All Music Guide

This album features three New Orleans-based groups. The four titles from Oscar Celestin's Tuxedo Jazz band in 1950 are the most common selections (having been issued by Southland) and are quite definitive of the classic band. Trumpeter Celestin, trombonist William Matthews and the legendary clarinetist Alphonse Picou are the main stars of the sextet on spirited versions of familiar warhorses ("Li'l Liza Jane," "The Saints," "Oh, Didn't He Ramble" and "High Society"). The Kid Ory titles (from their recording session of Feb. 12, 1945) were originally put out by the tiny Exner label and are much rarer. Trombonist Ory, trumpeter Mutt Carey (sounding as strong as he ever did during this late period) and clarinetist Joe Darensbourg are in spirited form. The second half this album features Wilbur De Paris' New New Orleans Jazz band in one of their earlier studio sessions (an obscure date), made shortly after their initial Atlantic recording. This very extroverted group (which has the frontlin...e of trumpeter Sidney DeParis, trombonist Wilbur DeParis and clarinetist Omer Simeon along with some prominent playing from banjoist Eddie Gibbs) really tears into its material whether it be "Change of Key Boogie," "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee" or the somewhat out-of-place "On a Persian Market," showing how exciting New Orleans jazz really can be. Well worth searching for by trad jazz collectors. - Scott Yanow, All Music Guide Read more Less