Jeff Barnhart: Hal, we’re beginning 2023 with a look at one of the most influential, colorful and exciting musicians in Jazz history; trombonist Edward “Kid” Ory! We’d originally planned on exploring his music later this year, but Tex Wyndham reminding me about the 1922 sides Ory was on in Los Angeles combined with your fortuitous (and excellently written) reminiscence in last month’s issue about hearing Ory, and Johnny St. Cyr in CA in 1965 (See: Yes! I Heard That Muskrat Ramblin’ Man!) to bump the Tailgate King to the frontline!
Ory was born on Christmas Day, 1886 in LaPlace, LA, about thirty miles west of New Orleans. In his teens, he led his own band in that small town before bringing it to NOLA around 1910. He stayed busy in the Crescent City, leading bands filled with other notable musicians in the teens, and finally headed west to Los Angeles in 1919; he never returned to New Orleans until he performed at the Jazz & Heritage Festival in 1971. Before we delve into the earliest recorded work of this jazz pioneer, would you share any special thoughts about this man, one of your favorite musicians?
Hal Smith: Well, Jeff, Kid Ory is my favorite trombonist—period. Ever since I heard him at Disneyland, then on the Good Ti
