Nights at the Turntable January 2019

THE SECOND ACT OF OSCAR “PAPA” CELESTIN Trumpeter Oscar Celestin (1884-1954) was part of the New Orleans jazz scene as early as 1906, leading several groups with similar names (the Tuxedo Band, the Original Tuxedo Orchestra, and the Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra) from 1910 into the early 1930s, having five record dates during 1925-28. The Depression resulted in him becoming a part-time player and working during the day at a shipyard. In 1946, Celestin returned to full-time music with a new version of the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band. He became a major tourist attraction in New Orleans, performing New Orleans favorites, singing almost as much as playing trumpet, and for a time featuring clarinetist Alphonse Picou (who around 1905 had created the famous clarinet solo on “High Society”). Celestin enjoyed his renaissance which climaxed in 1953 when he appeared briefly in the film Cinerama Holiday and participated in an all-star concert at the White House for President Dwight Eisenhower. Celestin recorded a handful of selections in the studios during 1946, 1950-51, and 1954 but his discography from that era has more than doubled due to the release of some radio broadcasts and live performances by Southland, American Music, Arhoolie, and Storyville. The 504 label’s Original Tuxedo Jazz Band 1949-1953 is filled with valuable rarities that add to Celestin’s legacy. The first 11 o
You've read three articles this month! That makes you one of a rare breed, the true jazz fan!

The Syncopated Times is a monthly publication covering traditional jazz, ragtime and swing. We have the best historic content anywhere, and are the only American publication covering artists and bands currently playing Hot Jazz, Vintage Swing, or Ragtime. Our writers are legends themselves, paid to bring you the best coverage possible. Advertising will never be enough to keep these stories coming, we need your SUBSCRIPTION. Get unlimited access for $30 a year or $50 for two.

Not ready to pay for jazz yet? Register a Free Account for two weeks of unlimited access without nags or pop ups.

Already Registered? Log In

If you shouldn't be seeing this because you already logged in try refreshing the page.

Since 1975 Scott Yanow has been a regular reviewer of albums in many jazz styles. He has written for many jazz and arts magazines, including JazzTimes, Jazziz, Down Beat, Cadence, CODA, and the Los Angeles Jazz Scene, and was the jazz editor for Record Review. He has written an in-depth biography on Dizzy Gillespie for AllMusic.com. He has authored 11 books on jazz, over 900 liner notes for CDs and over 20,000 reviews of jazz recordings.

Yanow was a contributor to and co-editor of the third edition of the All Music Guide to Jazz. He continues to write for Downbeat, Jazziz, the Los Angeles Jazz Scene, the Jazz Rag, the New York City Jazz Record and other publications.

Or look at our Subscription Options.