Magnolia Stroll • A Compilation Of Original Works by Tuba Skinny

Since its inception in 2009, as a jazz band (formerly known as the “Dead Man Street Orchestra” playing old time string mountain music) busking on the streets of New Orleans, Tuba Skinny has evolved from a group of young ragamuffins performing loose arrangements of traditional jazz tunes to a nicely arranged (but not sterile) unit with a vast repertory of obscure classic jazz, blues, country shouts, and lots of original material. Having released ten CDs over the years, this is their first to be comprised of all original compositions. A few have appeared on earlier albums but these versions are newly recorded. Since they have released such a wide array of lesser-known tunes before, these original pieces are no more obscure to the average listener than what they’ve already heard (and liked). Most of these selections are very good; a few really memorable. One can hear the individual musicianship of Tuba Skinny players improve from CD to CD released over the years. Also, it can be said that the band has created its own school of playing traditional jazz through an evolutionary process that’s developed along with the abilities of the performers and the circumstances of the performance sites. Prior to this, the main styles (very simply put ) were West Coast two-beat (à la Turk Murphy/Lu Watters) utilizing straightforward arranging, rags and 1920s material, slick New York/Chicago ja