Trumpet player Jabbo Smith was 20 years old when this thrilling record was cut. 1929 saw Smith record over 20 sides in lightning succession – many of which were his original compositions. His wild style was exciting and intoxicating.
Unfortunately, the onset of the depression and crash of the record industry hit at the worst time for Jabbo’s career. He moved to Milwaukee and got married – playing sporadically and recording briefly in 1938. By the 40s, he was off of the jazz scene radar altogether – working a steady job at Avis car rental – only resurfacing decades later.
Despite the shortness of his career – the energy of these 1929 performances is a real achievement in the history of jazz.
Originally released on Brunswick in the U.S., this much more affordable British Vocalion is a dubbed repress from the early 50s.
Recorded in Chicago, Illinois on March 1, 1929.
Jabbo Smith – trumpet
Omer Simeon – clarinet
George James – alto sax
Cassino Simpson – piano
Hayes Alvis – tuba
Ikey Robinson – banjo
Leave a Reply