Search - George Lewis :: Beverly Caverns Sessions

Revival of "Authentic" Jazz Style

David Conklin | Albuquerque, NM USA | 08/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 1953 live recording is a fine example of the classic New Orleans style. The CD is highly recommended in both the Penguin Guide and All Music Guide to Jazz, and is considered one of the best of George Lewis' recordings. Lewis was a major figure in the revival of this original jazz style following the heyday of the swing era. In addition to Lewis' fine and rather unique clarinet (described by some as "primitive"), the CD features "Kid" Howard on trumpet, Jim Robinson on trombone, and a good rhythm section; this group had played together for several years prior this performance.



I also own (and can recommend) Lewis' JAZZ FUNERAL IN NEW ORLEANS (also recorded in 1953) and ENDLESS THE TREK, ENDLESS THE SEARCH (1962). This one (BEVERLY CAVERNS), at 59+ minutes, provides the most music for the money, and has very good audio quality (although not quite as good as the more acclaimed JAZZ FUNERAL). If you prefer instrumentals, you may like this CD better than JAZZ FUNERAL, since the latter has vocals on all tracks, while this one (and ENDLESS) has singing on only a few tracks.

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