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CD Review: Jimmie Noone- Moody Melody

Label: History, The Cradle Of Jazz
Personnel: Jimmie Noone clarinet, Jimmie Cobb trumpet, Eddie Pollack alto sax baritone sax vocal, Wilbur Gorham banjo guitar, Bill Newton bass, Johnny Wells drums, Georgia White vocal, Earl Hines piano, John Henley guitar, Quinn Wilson bass, Benny Washington drums, Art Jarrett vocal, Mildred Bailey vocal, Zinky Cohen piano, Clarence Browning piano, John Lindsay bass

The great New Orleans clarinetist, Jimmie Noone, was probably the most under recorded major influence in the history of jazz. His 1926-30 Apex Club Orchestra was important and innovative, but left behind only a handful of recordings. Despite this, his technical brilliance and beautiful tone shaped much of the Swing Era's clarinet style.

Noone and Benny Goodman studied with the same classical clarinet teacher in Chicago. As a result, they both showed a special refinement in their jazz playing. Earlier Noone had studied with the legendary New Orleans teacher, Lorenzo Tio Jr.  and became one of his virtuoso students.

The recordings on this reissue date from 1930 to 1940 show Noone's preference for a two reed front line, instead of the classic  trumpet/clarinet/ trombone. The clarinet/ sax combination produced lovely harmonies and exciting counterpoint, with the two horns often swapping ensemble lead. The later groups here are more varied instrumentally and the personnel is truly fascinating. Legendary guitarists, Lonnie Johnson and Teddy Bunn, are heard on a number of tracks, as are bassists, Israel Crosby and Wellman Braud. The drummers on these tracks are Benny Washington, O'Neil Spencer, and Tubby Hall. The trumpet players are Natty Dominique and Guy Kelly.

A real discovery is the marvelous Louis Armstrong inspired trumpet of Jimmy Cobb, a player of such obscurity that I am not aware of any other recordings by him. I'd love to hear from anyone who knows about other records he might have made.

It is the sound of Noone's clarinet, that is the feature in this collection. Always masterful, his beautiful sound will stay with you. Give a listen!

- Bob Sparkman   June 6, 2003  

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