Red Nichols, Phil Napoleon - 1923-1931 (1990)

This CD is one of the respected Jazz Archives series and it embraces 2 well known jazz trumpeters and band leaders who played with numerous groups and orchestras over the 1923-1931 period covered. There are 19 tracks of which 5 feature Red Nichols with various bands, and the remaining 14 feature Phil Napoleon again with a variety of bands. Individual musicians making up the groups include many well known jazzmen such as Glen Miller, Miff Mole, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Frank Signorelli and Gene Krupa, and some of these musicians play with both Red Nichols and Phil Napoleon.
As white musicians playing at the same time as Negro giants such as King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton etc. they were amongst the first New York "Dixielanders". They offered a more relaxed and generalised sound as they played with orchestras producing music for dances in ballrooms, and vaudeville or theatre music for wider audiences. The music has been criticised as not being true jazz, but for me I accept the musicians as competent and professional, and as well as moving between bands they siezed opportunities in smaller groups for recording sessions. There was much such activity over the period covered by this CD and the 19 tracks are a wonderful sample from their prolific performances.
The numbers are all polished and predetermined with obvious big band techniques, though the music leans to a New Orleans approach. Red Nichols gives a stronger trumpet lead than Phil Napoleon, but the latter relies more on collective ensemble playing. There is little doubt that the musicians enjoyed their recording sessions and whatever the music played with large orchestras this CD is excellent smaller group hotter jazz. My favourite track from Red Nichols is "I'm Tickled Pink With A Blue Eyes Baby", and from Phil Napoleon it is the Original Dixieland Jazzband number "Clarinet Marmalade". However all tracks are easy listening where Red Nichols and Phil Napoleon have raised the temperature and created excellent jazz.