Roger Wolfe Kahn was the son of millionaire banker Otto Kahn. He loved jazz from an early age (as did his father) and, while he did his best to play several instruments, Kahn never recorded on any of them. A bandleader by the time he was 16 in 1924, he had the bankroll to hire some of the best players in New York. Kahn led bands on and off until leaving music in 1934 to work in aviation.
The Jazz Oracle CD Roger Wolfe Kahn 1925-1932 has 25 of the finest jazz-oriented recordings by Kahn’s orchestra. Most famous is “She’s A Great Great Girl” from March 14, 1928. Miff Mole, the band’s regular trombonist, could not make it and Jack Teagarden (who was not yet well known) was called. He fit in with the band perfectly without any rehearsal, and took a classic chorus. While it is unfortunate that the original recording is not on this otherwise flawless set, one gets to hear the alternate take (which survived in a test pressing) which is almost as worthy.
This fine CD, which also includes a previously unreleased performance of “Rhythm Of The Day,” features such top players as cornetists Tommy Gott and Leo McConville, trombonist Miff Mole, violinist Joe Venuti, guitarist Eddie Lang, and Jimmy Dorsey on alto and clarinet. Libby Holman has two vocals in 1930 and the four titles from 1932 include some short spots from clarinetist Artie Shaw. This excellent set, which has definitive liner notes, is easily recommended to fans of those players and hot dance music in general.
Roger Wolfe Kahn 1925-1932
(Jazz Oracle BDW 8013, 25 selections TT = 78:52)
www.jazzoracle.com
