Clarinet Blues
LP Vogue/Mode CMDINT 9518
There is no information on personnel or recording dates on this LP, so I have to consult other sources that tell me that the impressive clarinet solo by Eugene Cedric was recorded in Paris in 1953. Kansas Fields played drums, George Hadjo bass, and Red Richards piano.
Eugene “Gene” Cedric (1907–1963) is best known for his work playing clarinet and sax with Fats Waller and his Rhythm. Apart from this, he had a long career, starting in his home town of St. Louis with Charlie Creath and then with Fate Marable and Dewey Jackson. In May 1925, he sailed to Europe with Sam Wooding’s Orchestra. Back in New York, he had a brief spell with Fletcher Henderson at the beginning of the 1930s.
The recording that I listen to today was made during a tour with Mezz Mezzrow in France.
Later in life, he had his own group and also played in the bands of Bobby Hackett and Jimmy McPartland in the 50s.