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Omer Simeon: The New Orleans Clarinettist - His 48 Finest 1926-1958
£10.99
In stock
Catalogue Number
RTS4433
Omer Simeon (1902-1959) was the non plus ultra of New Orleans clarinettists. In Brian Rust’s words: “His brilliantly tasteful, never exhibitionist clarinet playing is the high spot of any record on which he played”. The truth of this verdict is borne out by Retrospective’s survey of the 48 finest recordings from a jazz giant who is relatively little-known. His debut in 31-year recording career was playing a crucial role in the all-time jazz classics of Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers (Black Bottom Stomp, Doctor Jazz). He was Morton’s preferred clarinettist, but also played with King Oliver (Every Tub), Jabbo Smith (Jazz Battle), Reuben Reeves (River Blues), The Dixie River Kings (Easy Rider) and Paul Mares (Reincarnation). After creating the trio masterpiece Beau Koo Jack with Earl Hines, Simeon spent a decade with Hines’ orchestra making vital contributions to such as Bubbling Over and Honeysuckle Rose, also playing with the orchestras of Fletcher Henderson, Lionel Hampton and Jimmie Lunceford. There were wartime classics with Kid Ory, including the poignant Blues For Jimmie, created after the death of Jimmie Noone, plus delightful trio recordings with James P. Johnson (Harlem Hotcha, Lorenzo’s Blues). His career enjoyed a later blossoming in the 50s with Wilbur De Paris’ superb “New” New Orleans Jazz (7 magnificent tracks including the final live Juba Dance). From this period too we have six rare trio recordings with Simon Price and Zutty Singleton, and an irresistibly joyous Skokiaan with Simeon on soprano sax duetting with Louis Armstrong.
Manufacturer: Wyastone Estate Limited, Wyastone Leys, Monmouth, NP25 3SR
Email: sales@wyastone.co.uk
Reviews:
"Omer Simeon was such a valuable team player that it is easy to forget the classic solos that he took through the years. Not only was he with Morton on “ Black Bottom Stomp,” but he took the famous long notes on the original version of “Doctor Jazz,” was showcased throughout “Shreveport Stomp,” and reluctantly played bass clarinet on “Someday Sweetheart.” Simeon who also played alto, soprano and baritone, was a major part of Jabbo Smith’s “Jazz Battle,” the one-time partial reincarnation of the New Orleans Rhythm Kings with Paul Mares, and Earl Hines’ versions of “Indiana,” and “Wolverine Blues.” He held his own with Buster Bailey on Fletcher Henderson’s “Jangled Nerves,” was briefly the recently deceased Jimmie Noone’s successor with Kid Ory, and became an indispensable part of Wilbur DeParis’ band in the 1950s. He “battled” Louis Armstrong successfully on the 1954 calypso Skokiaan” (the only time that they recorded together), is superb on his 1929 recording of “Beau Koo Jack” (with Earl Hines as his sideman), and is in excellent form on his album from 1954 with pianist Sammy Price and drummer Zutty Singleton. About the only significant omission from the twofer is the clarinetist’s memorable version of “Milenberg Joys” with DeParis in 1955.
The New Orleans Clarinetist is a very well-conceived sampler that allows listeners to discover the consistent brilliance of the great Omer Simeon." Omer Simeon, The Syncopated Times
"Too many highlights to list, a joyful celebration of classic New Orleans jazz by some of its finest exponents, in excellent vintage sound." Andrew McGregor, BBC Music Magazine