Originally made for the French Vogue label and released in the U.S. on an Inner City LP, these two Paris sets were cut just two years before trumpeter
Jonah Jones would hit it big with his "muted jazz." These performances are quite a bit different. Six numbers (including a pair of alternate takes) match
Jones with the great soprano saxophonist
Sidney Bechet, and they are remarkably exciting, particularly "When You Wore a Tulip" and "Chinatown My Chinatown" (both of which are heard in two versions).
Jones proves to be one of
Bechet's finest frontline partners, and their competitive ensembles are quite memorable. In addition,
Jones is heard in excellent form in a sextet headed by the fine
Coleman Hawkins-inspired tenor of
Alix Combelle. This music, which is essential for trad and mainstream fans, is long overdue to reappear on CD.