Description
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 verdictis 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.
