Between 1922 and 1928, Richmond, Indiana was the home of Gennett Records, which was the studio that recorded early jazz artists including Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Hoagy Carmichael and Duke Ellington, along with the self proclaimed “Creator of Jazz” Jelly Roll Morton. Instead of replaying the famous tunes au natural, The Buselli/Wallarab Jazz Orchestra puts these classic tunes into modern arrangements and solos, with thrilling results.
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Thus, the Four Movement “Suite” over two discs has Andrew Danforth’s rich trombone featured on a glorious “Dippermouth Blues” and Mark Buselli’s artsy flugelhorn misty on “Davenport Blues”. A dash of Gil Evans is felt on “Riverboat Shuffle, Part 1” while the team skates with charm around “King Porter Stop”. Greg Ward’s alto sax is thoroughly modern on his aria of “Star Dust” and “Grandpa’s Spells” is a stately affair for Tom Walsh’s tenor”. Pre-swing performed in postbop fashion.