Joe Marsala: Reunion In Harlem (His 49 Finest 1935-1957)

Description

Chicago-born Joe Marsala (1907-1978) is regarded as one of the finest jazz clarinettists in history, especially renowned for the beauty of his low register playing (rivalling his idol, Jimmie Noone). Yet, apart from afficionados, he remains relatively little-known, an injustice that is rectified by this first-ever double-album survey of his recorded legacy. Reunion In Harlem, Retrospective's latest addition to its growing jazz range, assembles (in note-writer Digby Fairweather's words) "a heady cornucopia of Dixieland and Swing legends". From the late 30s to mid-40s Marsala led star-studded groups boasting such trumpet leads as brother Matty Marsala, Bobby Hackett, Bill Coleman, Billy Butterfield, Joe Thomas - even Dizzy Gillespie. No fewer than 36 of these classic tracks are assembled here, 14 of them with the almost unique ingredient of Adele Girard's delightful jazz harp. She and husband Joe were called "the Sweethearts of Swing". Additionally, there are fine examples of Marsala playing with other bands such as those of Adrian Rollini (Bouncin' In Rhythm - one of his earliest in 1935), Sharkey Bonano, Yank Lawson and, especially, Wingy Manone (Shake The Blues Away). Although Marsala quit the scene in the late 40s, he made a notable return in 1957 when, alongside Girard and Rex Stewart, he waxed the closing four tracks of our 'reunion'.