Spirituals and Blues

Although trombonist Jim Robinson had been heard at the head of a few songs recorded in 1944, this Riverside album (which has been reissued on CD in the Original Jazz Classics series) was his first full-length effort as a leader. A superior ensemble New Orleans trombonist with a likable style, Robinson gathered together a pretty strong outfit also including trumpeter Ernest Cagnolatti, the smooth swing clarinetist Louis Cottrell, banjoist George Guesnon, bassist Slow Drag Pavageau, and drummer Alfred Williams. The music is ensemble-oriented in the vein of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (which it slightly predated) and is highlighted by spirited renditions of such tunes as "Ice Cream," "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree," "Bugle Boy March," and "When You Wore a Tulip." This reissue of a set in Chris Albertson's important "New Orleans: The Living Legends" series adds a tenth selection ("Somebody Else Is Taking My Place") formerly only out on a sampler. Highly recommended to New Orleans jazz fans.