Search - Jabbo Smith :: Hot Jazz in the Twenties, Vol. 1

The sound of the roaring twenties

JEAN-MARIE JUIF | BESANCON France | 07/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like his companion,volume 2,this record is an absolute must if you like jazz music of the twenties.First, just a glance at the men: Omer Simeon,Ikey Robinson,Charlie Irvis,Charlie Johnson,Cyrus StClair,George Stafford,and the three Bennies: Benny Carter (yes!!!),Benny Waters,and Benny Whittet,composing the reed section.Not too bad ! Now,speaking of the music,let's say that Jabbo was considered as Louis' most talented rival.Although he was very young at the time of these recordings (he was born on Christmas eve,1908),Cladys "Jabbo" Smith plays with great mastery all through the record."Jazz battle","till times get better","croonin' the blues",who looks so much like Louis' "west end blues","Charleston is the best dance after all","little Willie blues","Michigander blues",all this is great stuff.Like on volume 2,Jabbo may not be the player on some tunes.The groups led by Lloyd Smith and Alex Hill may have included another trumpet player (possibly George Dixon).But this is great music also.Jabbo had a great musical carreer in the twenties,and toured with the show "keep shufflin'" for almost a year;in the band were Garvin Bushell,Fats Waller on organ and James P.Johnson on piano!!!! I wish I could be there to hear that band ! Then, at the end of the fourties, he retired from music, and had a lot of teeth troubles . He went back on stage before his death,and it was a pleasure to see one of Harlem's trumpet master still playing in the 80's.Please,don't be suspicious, buy this record ; you sure will enjoy this music."

This guy had great chops

COMPUTERJAZZMAN | Cliffside Park, New Jersey United States | 03/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jabbo Smith was is of the most overlooked early jazz artists. And I do say artist because this guy could really play. Just listening to track number ten, "Michigander Blues" is worth the price of admission. In the late twenties, Jabbo Smith was really popular, he was a great trumpet player and a pretty good singer, too. Sound a bit like Louis, but diferent. You will definitely enjoy this CD"