“Why Cry Blues” – Jimmy Durante’s Jazz Band (1920)

Here’s an early Gennett recording of Jimmy Durante’s first jazz band from 1920. Achille Baquet’s clarinet really leads the charge on this one – with a brash, confident tone complete with novelty effects reminiscent of Louis Panico’s “laughing” cornet that were popular in such early rag-a-jazz outfits.

Durante had recorded for Okeh and Gennett with slightly different personnel under the name Original New Orleans Jazz Band in 1918 and 1919. Here, they showcase a composition written by Durante and Baquet called “Why Cry Blues”.

Less than ideal surface noise on this copy, but glad to have acquired it all the same!

Recorded in New York City circa May, 1920.
Released as Gennett 9045.

Credits:
Alfred Laine – cornet
Joe Loyocano – trombone
Achille Baquet – clarinet
Jimmy Durante – piano
Arnold Loyocano – drums

Source:
Jazz and Ragtime Records, Brian Rust, 6th Ed.