Keystone Blues - Jimmy Noone and His Orchestra (1940) скачать в хорошем качестве

Keystone Blues - Jimmy Noone and His Orchestra (1940)

Today's number, "Keystone Blues" comes from Jimmie Noone, often regarded as the greatest second-generation jazz clarinetists. This is from his last session with Decca on June 5, 1940 which resulted in only two songs (though brought to you today via a British pressing on Brunswick UK label, then owned by Decca). Originally written by Clarence Williams, it is heart hear performed by Jimmie Noone and His Orchestra consisting of Natty Dominique (cornet), Tubby Hall (drums), Preston Jackson (trombone), Lonnie Johnson (guitar), Richard M. Jones (piano), John Lindsay (string bass), and of course Jimmie Noone (clarinet). James "Jimmie" Noone was born on April 23, 1895 in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1910, his family moved to Saint Bernard Parish and around that time, Noone began playing the clarinet, studying under Lorenzo Tio and a young Sidney Bechet. By 1913 at 18 years of age, Noone was playing professionally with Freddie Keppard in Storyville, actually replacing Bechet in the band. When Keppard went on tour, Noone and Buddie Petit formed the "Young Olympia Band" which was just a small ensemble of clarinet, piano and drums (a format that would become very popular, but was unusual for its time). In 1917, Noone was playing with Kid Ory and Oscar Celestin until the Storyville district was closed. This brought him back to Keppard and the "Original Creole Orchestra" playing the vaudeville circuit for the year. When the group disbanded, Noone headed to Chicago where he continued his clarinet studies under Franz Schoepp. He would play at the Royal Garden Cafe for two years along with Paul Barbarin, King Oliver, Bill Johnson and other greats. In 1920, Noone would rejoin Keppard in Doc Cook's dance orchestra where he would abandon the clarinet and play sax for six years. In 1926, Noone would start leading a band at the Apex Club and with some creative and slightly odd arranging of instruments, he created his own unique sound. By May 1928, he was signed with Brunswick Records and his first record was issued on the Vocalion label shortly after. It was here that a teenage Benny Goodman could often be seen in the audience listening, or a ten year old Nat King Cole sitting outside in the alley listening. Noone remained at the Apex club until 1929 when it was raided and shut down. For the next decade, he played all over Chicago, recording with Doc Cook's band, as well as his own. Jimmie would remain with Brunswick until 1935, but would jump over to the Decca label in 1936, only doing three sessions in total (1926, 37, and 40) and one for Bluebird also in 1940. Swing music was dominating the music scene and big band was in. Noone tried his hand at it, but quickly went back to the small ensemble format. In 1943, Noone headed west to Los Angeles where a New Orleans-style jazz revival was under way bringing him renewed popularity. In 1944, he was hand-picked to be in the all-star band on CBS Radio's "The Orson Welles Almanac" alongside Mutt Carey, Ed Garland, Kid Ory, Bud Scott, Zutty Singleton, and Buster Wilson. This gig became so popular it launched a comeback for Ory. Sadly, Noone only got to perform on four of their appearances as on the morning of the fifth, he died of a heart attack at just age 48. The Orson Welles Almanac band would stay together, eventually changing it's name to "Kid Ory's Creole Jazz Band". In honor of Noone, Ory recorded "Blues for Jimmie" and it became a staple of his acts. Noone is generally regarded as one of the greatest of the second generation of jazz clarinetists, along with Johnny Dodds and Sidney Bechet.