Frank Teschemacher, Jazz Me Blues

Retrospective is proud to present the only CD available devoted to “Tesch”, the great jazz clarinettist described by Benny Goodman as: “perhaps the most inventive musician it has ever been my privilege to hear”. Frank Teschemacher (1906-1932) is revered in jazz circles as one of the all-time-greats of the jazz clarinet, yet his name seldom trips off the general public’s tongue nowadays. His tragically short lifespan of 25 years (he was killed in a car crash when his star was still in the ascendant) was even shorter than that of Bix Beiderbecke yet, whilst Bix’ name became legendary, “Tesch” has remained the property of those in the know. This CD retrospective of his dazzling, if brief, career should help him gain his rightful place in the pantheon of the great jazz masters. These 26 tracks, recorded during the four short years of his fame, 1927-30, contain the very essence of “Chicago-style” jazz at its finest. The booklet notes are by Digby Fairweather.