Gennett Jazz 1922-1930

Personnel: W.E. Burton (vocals, kazoo, washboard); Perry Smith (vocals, clarinet, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Fess Williams (vocals, clarinet, alto saxophone); Hattie Snow, Elvira Johnson, Hattie Garland, Alberta Jones, Irene Scruggs, Lizzie Washington, Josie Miles, Alberta Hunter, Viola McCoy, Bertha Ross (vocals); Tony Colucci (guitar, banjo); George Thomas , Henry Moon, Willie B. James (guitar); Dick Johnson, Bobby Davis (banjo, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, piano, drums); Tommy Fellini, Maurice Mays, Zack Whyte & His Chocolate Beau Brummels, Bob Gillette, Buddy Christian , Carl Bunch, Harry Reser, Ferman Tapp , Paul Anthony George, Bill Johnson (banjo); Ed Smalle, Vernon Dalhart (kazoo); Joe Britton (clarinet, soprano saxophone, trombone); Sidney Bechet (clarinet, soprano saxophone); Arnold Brillhardt, Larry Abbott, Jimmy Hartwell (clarinet, alto saxophone); Morris Dixon (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Baldy McDonald, Jimmy Lytell, Johnny Dodds, Buster Bailey (clarinet); Teddy Hill (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Natty Dominique (alto saxophone, cornet); Loring McMurray (alto saxophone, piano, drums); Jack Pettis (tenor saxophone, C-melody saxophone); Al Sears (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Adrian Rollini (baritone saxophone); Dewey Neal (bass saxophone); Phil Napoleon (trumpet, trombone); Hymie Farberman, Syd Valentine, Tommy Gott, Harry Gluck, Bill Moore Lucky Seven Band, George Temple, Bubber Whyte, Red Nichols, Sy Oliver (trumpet); Bix Beiderbecke (cornet, piano); Fred Rollison, Joe Smith , Charlie Gaines, Louis Armstrong, Muggsy Spanier, Paul Mares (cornet); Jerry Bump, George Brunies, Floyd Brady, Guy Carey, Al Gande, Miff Mole, Charlie Irvis (trombone); Hank Duncan, Dick Voynow, Harry Perrella, Curtis Hitch, Elmer Schoebel, Fletcher Henderson, George H. Tremer, Frank Melrose, Frank Signorelli, Charles Booker , William L. Pearson, Vance Patterson, Herman Chittison, Slick Helms, Sidney Williams, Irving Brodsky, Henry Duncan, Mel Stitzel, Jelly Roll Morton, Jimmy Blythe, Lil Armstrong, Lil Hardin, Porter Grainger (piano); Frank Snyder, Jack Roth, Ivory Johnson, Ralph Bedell, Cliff C. Jones, Baby Dodds, Vic Moore (drums).
Liner Note Author: Pat Harrison.
Recording information: Birmingham, AL (03/09/1922-08/30/1930); Chicago, IL (03/09/1922-08/30/1930); New York, NY (03/09/1922-08/30/1930); Richmond, IN (03/09/1922-08/30/1930); St. Paul, MN (03/09/1922-08/30/1930).
Directors: Husk O'Hare; Dick Voynow; Curtis Hitch; Elmer Schoebel; Zack Whyte & His Chocolate Beau Brummels; Ezra Buzzington's Rustic Revelers; Fess Williams; Frank Bunch; Sam Lanin.
Arranger: Elmer Schoebel.
Great Britain's JSP imprint is well-known for its often-exhaustive boxed sets, for single as well as multiple artists, and this one, which covers the Gennett imprint form Indiana in the 1920s, is no exception. While this box doesn't include the complete catalog of the legendary (if little known by all but early jazz collectors) imprint, it does offer a massive sampling of the 1,250 records they released between the label's founding in 1922 right on through to its final releases in 1930. Some of the artists represented here include King Oliver, the Friars Society Orchestra, Watson's Pullman Porters, Josephine Beatty, Bailey's Lucky Seven, the Bucktown Five, Ladd's Black Aces, Alberta Hunter, Jelly Roll Morton, and the Red Onion Jazz Babies, to name a few. This set is basically a must for fans of early jazz. It marks the very first time many of the selections have appeared on CD, and is the first such compilation of the label in a digital format. JSP releases are all remastered, and fully annotated with discographical information, and this one is no exception. There is a fine historical liner essay by Pat Harrison, as well. ~ Thom Jurek