“Jada” – Tommy Ladnier and his Orchestra

Tommy Ladnier was widely recorded in the 1920s and early 30s playing cornet and trumpet with Ma Rainey, Ida Cox, Lovie Austin, Fletcher Henderson, and Noble Sissle. He also spent a good amount of time on European tours with the Sam Wooding Orchestra.

During the depression, he worked in a tailor shop with clarinetist Sidney Bechet in Harlem. In 1938, French jazz enthusiast Hugues Panassié (who was one of the founding members of the Hot Club de France and an acquaintance of Ladnier from his time in Paris) came to NYC and arranged a recording session for Ladnier that took place on November 28, 1938.

In addition to Bechet (as “Pops” King), the session included Mezz Mezzrow on clarinet/tenor sax, Cliff Jackson on piano, Teddy Bunn on guitar, Elmer James on bass, and Manzie Johnson on drums.

This lively tune, “Jada” included wonderful solos and ensemble playing. It was issued domestically on the Bluebird label as B-10086 and in France on Swing as SW 50.

Tragically, Ladnier died of a heart attack just six months after this recording was made.