Albert “Abbie” Brunies was born into a musical New Orleans family in 1900. When his older brothers Merritt and Henry left town in 1920, Albert revived the name of the jazz band they had started in 1918, “The New Orleans Jazz Babies”. The band started playing at a roadhouse outside of New Orleans known for its hot dance music – The Halfway House – where they performed and recorded as the Halfway House Orchestra.
This snappy number was recorded with five other tunes in April of 1928 with clarinetist Sidney Arodin – who starts this dance number out with a solo right out of the gate, followed later on the record by Joe Loyacano (alto sax) and Abbie himself on cornet.
I was lucky to have found a copy of this one in excellent shape – sound quality is quite nice on this one!
“Love Dreams” – Albert Brunies and his Halfway House Orchestra
Recorded in New Orleans on April 26, 1928.
Released as Columbia 1542-D
Credits:
Albert “Abbie” Brunies – cornet, director
Sidney Arodin – clarinet
Joe Loyacano – alto sax
Glyn Lea “Red” Long – piano
Angelo Palmisano – banjo
Chink Martin – tuba
Emmett Rogers – drums