This Is Jazz, Vol. 7

Performers include: Wild Bill Davison, Albert Nicholas, Baby Dodds, Ralph Sutton, Jimmy Archey, Pops Foster, Danny Barker, Lu Watters, Turk Murphy, Bob Scobey, Bud Scott, Buster Wilson, Kid Ory.
Recorded on July 26, August 2, 9, & 16, 1947.
Personnel: Bertha "Chippie" Hill (vocals); Danny Barker , Bud Scott (guitar); Harry Mordecai (banjo); Joe Darensbourg, Albert Nicholas, Bob Helm (clarinet); Sidney Bechet (soprano saxophone); Andrew Blakeney, Lu Watters, Bob Scobey (trumpet); Wild Bill Davison (cornet); Jimmy Archey, Kid Ory, Turk Murphy (trombone); Dick Lammi (tuba); Ralph Sutton , Wally Rose, Buster Wilson (piano); Bill Dart, Minor Hall, Baby Dodds (drums).
Recording information: 07/26/1947-08/16/1947.
Rudi Blesh's This Is Jazz radio show was presented in 35 weekly episodes during 1947, along with an initial audition show. The 36 shows are being reissued in nine volumes (four to a double CD) by the Jazzology label. Vol. 7 starts off with two shows by the regular band (cornetist Wild Bill Davison, clarinetist Albert Nicholas, trombonist Jimmy Archey, pianist Ralph Sutton, guitarist Danny Barker, bassist Pops Foster, and drummer Baby Dodds). The group romps on such numbers as "Eccentric," "Hotter Than That," "Sensation," "China Boy," and "California Here I Come." In addition, Nicholas is showcased on "Dardanella," soprano saxophonist Sidney Bechet guests on "Love for Sale," and veteran blues singer Bertha "Chippie" Hill is featured on two numbers. The August 9 and 16 shows are unique in the This Is Jazz discography in that announcer-writer Blesh took the show to California for two weeks. On August 9, Kid Ory's Creole Jazz Band (with trumpeter Andrew Blakeney and clarinetist Joe Darensbourg) was featured, while the August 16 edition had Lu Watters & the Yerba Buena Jazz Band. So this two-fer is valuable not only for covering the This Is Jazz radio series but also for giving listeners an overview of three important ensembles performing 1947 trad jazz. ~ Scott Yanow