Johnny Dodds was one of the great New Orleans clarinetists of the 1920s, displaying a unique cutting tone in both his lower and upper registers. Along the way he appeared on many classic recordings with
King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band,
Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong's Hot Five and Seven, and his own groups. On this tribute date, drummer Pam Pameijer and his septet bring back the sound and the repertoire of
Dodds' group with cornetist
Natty Dominique. The band, with Matthias Seuffert in
Dodds' spot and
Jon-Erik Kellso filling in for
Dominique, sounds quite authentic and creative within the vintage New Orleans jazz style. It is a particular pleasure to hear such underrated gems as "Frog Tongue Stomp," "Brush Stomp," "When Erastus Plays His Old Kazoo," "Sweep 'Em Clean," and "Come On and Stomp, Stomp, Stomp" being revived in such lively fashion. Highly recommended to lovers of New Orleans jazz. ~ Scott Yanow