Phil Napoleon was arguably the best trumpeter on record during 1921-1922 and one of the first jazz musicians to swing. Possessor of an attractive and clear tone along with impressive technique, Napoleon's melodic lead was heard on a countless number of sides by the Original Memphis Five and other groups with similar personnel. Despite its title, this CD actually starts out with the nine selections recorded by Jazzbo's Carolina Serenaders, a quintet with Napoleon, trombonist Miff Mole, several different clarinetists, pianist ...
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Phil Napoleon was arguably the best trumpeter on record during 1921-1922 and one of the first jazz musicians to swing. Possessor of an attractive and clear tone along with impressive technique, Napoleon's melodic lead was heard on a countless number of sides by the Original Memphis Five and other groups with similar personnel. Despite its title, this CD actually starts out with the nine selections recorded by Jazzbo's Carolina Serenaders, a quintet with Napoleon, trombonist Miff Mole, several different clarinetists, pianist Frank Signorelli, and drummer Jack Roth. The set also has two numbers from the Southland Six (a similar group with Napoleon, trombonist Charles Panelli, and clarinetist Jimmy Lytell) in addition to five sessions from the Original Memphis Five. Throughout, Napoleon and his musicians sound as if they have evolved way ahead of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band and show the influence of the New Orleans Rhythm Kings, but do not sound like a copy of either. This ensemble-oriented music does not include dated vocals, novelties (other than the weak "barking" on "That Barking Dog -- Woof! Woof!"), military staccato phrasing, or doo-wacka-doo nonsense, and this CD fills an often overlooked gap in jazz history. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi
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