Interesting article. I didn't know about the lawsuits.
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John W -
John
Thanks for the post and link.
I'm fascinated by this era but think that the article should have mentioned the creole Jazz Band led by Bill Johnson which effectively was the principle band who took Jazz from New Orleans and spread the gospel throughout the States. Here is a link to the recording in question - the acoustic quality has been amazingly cleaned up since I heard their work last!
What I find amusing is the fact that this band has been maligned for not swinging or indeed not even playing jazz. The cleaned up recordings suggest that this was unfair. However I think that the results are far more "modern" than I ever recollected and certainly don't deserve to be slated in the fashion than Gunther Schuller did in his "Early Jazz." If you were only used to listening to Curuso, this must have come as a major shock! I wasn't aware of the legal case concerning the composer rights.
Cheers
Ian -
Yes, the ODJB have been much aligned by authors/critics who have a desire to continually re-write jazz history.
When I was in Pittsbugh for a few weeks, I think in 1987, I had time to look round fleamarkets and found a small collection of their Victor 78rpm records including that first Victor recording 18255. It's not rare; in the Victor catalogue for years it might have sold a million. The later ones I have from 1918 might be rarer. Also have one of their UK records. They cut quite a few 12" 78s in London during their times at the Palladium and Hammersmith Palais, that record might be a rare one, Barnyard Blues / At The Jazz Band Ball, April 1919.- - -
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