Omer Simeon (1902-1959) was the non plus ultra of New Orleans clarinettists. In Brian Rust’s words: “His brilliantly tasteful, never exhibitionist clarinet playing is the high spot of any record on which he played”. The truth of this verdict is borne out by Retrospective’s survey of the 48 finest recordings from a jazz giant who is relatively little-known. His debut in 31-year recording career was playing a crucial role in the all-time jazz classics of Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers (Black Bottom Stomp, Doctor Jazz). He was Morton’s preferred clarinettist, but also played with King Oliver (Every Tub), Jabbo Smith (Jazz Battle), Reuben Reeves (River Blues), The Dixie River Kings (Easy Rider) and Paul Mares (Reincarnation). After creating the trio masterpiece Beau Koo Jack with Earl Hines, Simeon spent a decade with Hines’s orchestra making vital contributions to such as Bubbling Over and Honeysuckle Rose, also playing with the orchestras of Fletcher Henderson, Lionel Hampton and Jimmie Lunceford. There were wartime classics with Kid Ory, including the poignant Blues for Jimmie, created after the death of Jimmie Noone, plus delightful trio recordings with James P. Johnson (Harlem Hotcha, Lorenzo’s Blues). His career enjoyed a later blossoming in the 50s with Wilbur De Paris’s superb “New” New Orleans Jazz (7 magnificent tracks including the final live Juba Dance). From this period too we have six rare trio recordings with Simon Price and Zutty Singleton, and an irresistibly joyous Skokiaan with Simeon on soprano sax duetting with Louis Armstrong.

Contents:

CD 1
1. Shreveport Stomp
2. Black Bottom Stomp
3. The Chant
4. Someday, Sweetheart
5. Doctor Jazz
6. Every Tub
7. Willie the Weeper
8. Georgia Swing
9. Mournful Serenade (Chimes Blues)
10. Jazz Battle
11. Tickle Britches Blues
12. Little Willie Blues
13. River Blues
14. Parson Blues
15. Smokehouse Blues
16. Beau Koo Jack
17. Easy Rider
18. The Chant
19. Wolverine Blues
20. Bubbling Over
21. Reincarnation
22. Maple Leaf Rag
23. Jangled Nerves
24. Honeysuckle Rose
25. Down Home Jump
26. Indiana

CD 2
1. ’Gator Swing
2. Deep Forest
3. Back Door Stuff
4. Get Out of Here
5. Blues for Jimmie
6. Harlem Hotcha
7. Lorenzo’s Blues
8. Panama
9. Martinique
10. Prelude in C sharp minor
11. Shreveport Stomp
12. Frankie and Johnny
13. Grand Boubousse
14. Qua-Ti Rhythm
15. Lagniappe
16. Qua-Ti Blues
17. Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home?
18. Skokiaan
19. Flow Gently, Sweet Afton
20. Hot Lips
21. Beale Street Blues
22. Juba Dance