Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble - Moods Of Old New Orleans (1995)

"Founded by clarinetist Fred Starr, the idea behind the Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble was to have some of the Crescent City's top musicians get together to re-create, yet be creative in playing, the music of the 1920s. The 1995 version of the band, in addition to Starr (on clarinet, tenor and C-melody sax), includes clarinetist Joe Muranyi (an alumnus of the Louis Armstrong All-Stars), Lou Green and Willie Singleton on cornets, trombonist Tom Ebert, banjoist John Chaffe, pianist Terry Waldo, Tom Saunders on bass and tuba, and drummer John Joyce. Five of the arrangements/frameworks are based closely on King Oliver recordings (by both his Creole Jazz Band and the Dixie Syncopators); other role models include the New Orleans Owls and the New Orleans Rhythm Kings. In addition, there are individual features for Muranyi ("Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans") and Terry Waldo ("Mississippi Rag"); Carol Leigh takes a brief vocal on "Jackass Blues." The musicianship is strong and in tune, and the versions of such tunes as "Snag It," "Tampeekoe," "Sugarfoot Stomp" and "Mama's Gone Goodbye" are excellent. Easily recommended to New Orleans jazz and 1920s fans, this CD has been put out by the budget Naxos label. "