Original Dixieland Jazz Band: Tiger Rag

Track

Tiger Rag

Group

The Original Dixieland Jazz Band

CD

The Original Dixieland Jazz Band “The First Jazz Recordings” 1917-1921 (Timeless Jazz CBC 1-009)

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Musicians:

Nick LaRocca (cornet), Eddie Edwards (trombone), Larry Shields (clarinet), Henry Ragas (piano), Tony Sbarbaro (drums).

Recorded: New York, March 25, 1918

Albumcoveroriginaldixielandjazzband-firstjazzrecordings-1917-1921

Rating: 95/100 (learn more)

The second version of this Dixieland standard as recorded by the first orchestra of recorded jazz has much to listen for and to learn from. When heard in context of what ODJB imitators were putting on wax at the time, the Originals sound relaxed and lithe. LaRocca played a very well-defined lead and in tune. Shields's countermelodies were sensibly crafted in alignment with the chord changes and played with fluidity and even beauty. The trombone work by Edwards is rugged and although at times virtuosic, is never in the way. The recorded copycats such as Earl Fuller’s Famous Jazz Band gave an imitation of the ODJB’s overall effect of energy, noise and novelty without offering the harmonic cohesion or gentle humor of the men from New Orleans.

Reviewer: David Sager

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