In 1985 pianist
Butch Thompson
formed an octet using the same instrumentation as
King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band
of 1923, since it was the centennial year of the cornetist's birth.
Thompson
's ensemble's only recording took place three years later and it is surprising that most of the 13 selections cut by the band were not actually recorded by
Oliver
's band (although several were documented by
with later groups). The style, however, is mostly ensemble-oriented (like the early
band) with a few solo spots, particularly for
's piano. The most successful element to the group is the interplay between cornetists
Charlie Devore
and
Cuff Billett
. The other musicians (trombonist
Pete Dyer
, clarinetist
Teddy Layton
,
Malcolm Horne
on banjo and guitar, bassist
Alyn Shipton
and drummer
Dave Evans
) fit into their roles quite well too. The unlikely but surprisingly complementary material includes
"Climax Rag,"
"Willie the Weeper,"
"Sugar Blues,"
"You Were Only Passing Time with Me"
and an exciting
"Canal Street Blues."
Hot music that is revivalistic without being merely derivative. ~ Scott Yanow