From the Record Shelves #229 - That Da Da StrainFrom the Record Shelves #229 – That Da Da Strain – In June 1929, Red Nichols led another session under the name of Louisiana Rhythm Kings. The distinct New York style of his Five Pennies is here in this sextet, but it’s loosened up after about one minute with (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Record Shelves #206 - Arabella’s Wedding DayFrom the Record Shelves #206 – Arabella’s Wedding Day – As when you look at silent movies, or as for today’s young people if they look at black and white films, listening to the pre-Armstrong jazz takes some adjustment. You have to accept that it’s partly (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Studio #4 - Alexander's Ragtime BandFrom the Studio #4 – Alexander’s Ragtime Band – I don’t know if it is this, White Christmas, or maybe another tune that was the most successful in the eyes of their composer, Irving Berlin (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Record Shelves #179 - Boneyard ShuffleFrom the Record Shelves #179 – Boneyard Shuffle – I look at the cover and see a young Red Nichols in a reflective mood, looking at his mouthpiece with his most precious belonging, the trumpet in the lap. He’s well-dressed, and everything in the music is also (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Record Shelves #137 - I’ve Got a Daddy Down in New OrleansFrom the Record Shelves #137 – I’ve Got a Daddy Down in New Orleans. What strikes me immediately when I put on this LP is the good sound quality. It’s, in reality, very good transfers of originals in good condition that make it possible for us to enjoy the outstanding (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Record Shelves #133 - CandlelightsFrom the Record Shelves #133 – Candlelights. I have listened many times to this record with, and it’s special. I probably found it at a sale for a low price. The music is recorded in 1953 and the album was originally called Syncopated Chamber Music (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Record Shelves #98 - Peaceful ValleyFrom the Record Shelves #98 – Peaceful Valley. This LP recorded in 1961, centered around a mature Jack Teagarden, is a polished affair, well arranged and flawlessly performed. Don Ewell is the pianist in the highly competent ensemble. Apart from a couple (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Record Shelves #84 - Five PenniesFrom the Record Shelves #84 – Five Pennies. On the record label of this Brunswick 78 rpm we can read the lineup of the group, Red Nichols and his Five Pennies and our ears can easily confirm it. The timpani of Vic Berton starts off this rather peaceful performance (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Record Shelves #78 - Honolulu BluesFrom the Record Shelves #78 – Honolulu Blues. This performance is a bit crazy or maybe one should say experimental. Red Nichols and his Five Pennies keeps it down to six musicians on this date in September 1931. Vic Berton’s use of his timpani is (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Record Shelves #63 - ManhattanFrom the Record Shelves #63 – Manhattan. I have always aimed at the strategy of turning defeat into victory. For example already as a teenager in school I had the following method. When I was feeling sick and felt that the flu was coming (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Record Shelves #57 - BaltimoreFrom the Record Shelves #57 – Baltimore. The title of this LP means that the popular, tin pan alley sort of tunes is absent. Otherwise, it’s quite natural and what you expect from a New Orleans Band that they play spirituals and blues (…) read more and listenread more and listen

From the Record Shelves #20 - Swanee ShuffleFrom the Record Shelves #20 – Swanee Shuffle. The Charleston Chasers was a New York studio group whose jazz content and top-notch musicianship was guaranteed and provided by men like the Dorsey Brothers and Benny Goodman. Formally their music was (…) read more and listenread more and listen