0710357443329

Omer Simeon: The New Orleans Clarinettist (His 48 Finest 1926-1958)

Omer Simeon; Louis Armstrong; Wilbur De Paris; Lionel Hampton; Fletcher Henderson; Earl Hines; Jame

Regular
£9.49
Sale
£9.49
Regular
Out of Stock
Unit Price
per 

Format: 2CD

Cat No: RTS4433

PRE-ORDER: This item will be shipped with the aim to deliver on release day.

Release Date:  07 November 2025

Label:  Retrospective - Cd / Retrospective

Packaging Type:  Brilliant Case (Jewel Case size, Holds 2 CDs)

No of Units:  2

Barcode:  0710357443329

Genres:  Jazz  Swing Jazz  

  • 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.

Liquid error (sections/featured-collection-pmc-artist line 90): comparison of String with 1 failed
Liquid error (sections/featured-collection-pmc-genre line 90): comparison of String with 2 failed