Jimmie Noone (1895-1944) was one of the most influential jazz clarinetists of the 1920s, and is considered by many to be one of the big three of early New Orleans clarinetists along with Sidney Bechet and Johnny Dodds. Noone had a softer and less abrasive sound than those two along with a fluent style, being equally comfortable on blues and more sophisticated pop songs. While Bechet and Dodds were more spectacular and extroverted players, Noone had a bigger effect on what was to come. His admirers included Benny Goodman, Irving Fazola, Artie Shaw, Pee Wee Russell, and Joe Marsala.
The latest release in the Nimbus label’s Retrospectives series is Jimmie Noone – The Apex Of Jazz Clarinet 1923-1944. The single CD traces Noone’s entire career through 26 selections, picking out all of the logical highpoints and a few lesser-known performances.
The clarinetist made his recording debut in Sept. 1923 with drummer Ollie Powers’ Harmony Syncopators, recording no less than five released versions of “Play That Thing”; one is included on this set. He already sounds a bit recognizable during his short solo.
Noone appeared on two sessions with King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band later the year and on record dates with Doc Cook (1924 and 1926-27) and Lillie Delk Christian (1926 and 1927). “Here Comes The Hot Tamale Man” is from one of the Cook sessions from 1926, a spirited performanc
