Jeff Barnhart: Hal, after our in-depth exploration of a single tune, it’s time to broaden our scope to the music of the immortal Joe “King” Oliver. The twist this month is that we’ll take up his career post-Creole Jazz Band, beginning in 1926. In 1924, Louis Armstrong had left that band, and Chicago, at the urging of pianist (and by now wife) Lillian Hardin (Armstrong) to follow his fortunes East to New York. Joe Oliver never again found the chemistry created by his initial band, the first black band to record jazz. His output in 1924-25 only consisted of inclusion as a blues accompanist to Butterbeans and Susie, and then Sippie Wallace, as well as two remarkable duo sides with Jelly Roll Morton. Increasing health problems would add to his fading star, but in 1926 he was still going strong and put out an impressive number of sides with his 10-piece band, first called King Oliver’s Jazz Band and then King Oliver’s Dixie Syncopators (among other names depending on what label released the side). They were playing real hot jazz! Hal, please share any insights you have into the creation of Oliver’s band(s) from 1926 and take us into our first number!!
Hal Smith: Jeff, I
Trumpeter James O’Donnell: The Motor City Jazz Maestro
Brian Sheridan
