Omer Simeon was one of the greatest clarinetists to emerge during the 1920s. His career can easily be divided into periods including a stint as
Jelly Roll Morton's favorite clarinetist, playing with
Earl Hines' 1930s swing band, and in the 1950s being one of the stars of
Wilbur DeParis' "New New Orleans Jazz Band." A fluent player who displayed a strong sense of humor at times,
Simeon was flexible and technically skilled. While
Big Bill Bissonnette's Jazz Crusade label usually concentrates on recent recordings of New Orleans jazz-style groups, it also puts out occasional historic releases including the seven discs (thus far) in the
Rare Cuts: Well Done series.
Vol. 7 is the best, and even
Bissonnette in his liner notes underrates some of the contents.
Simeon is heard on the two numbers from 1929 that he led with a small group that includes
Earl Hines, four selections with the Dixie Rhythm Kings (also from 1929), two cuts with pianist Richard M. Jones' group that teams him with fellow clarinetist Artie Starks, and the 1935 session from former
New Orleans Rhythm Kings cornetist Paul Mares. The latter date, which has long been elusive (it has Mares' only post-1925 recordings), is not even mentioned in the liner notes but is full of exciting performances.
Simeon also excels on four numbers from a 1945 trio date with pianist
James P. Johnson and bassist Pops Foster and six songs (out of eight recorded) from a 1954 Jazztone LP with pianist
Sammy Price and drummer Zutty Singleton. Ranging from classic jazz to Dixieland, from swing to even a bit of ragtime ("Maple Leaf Rag") and blues, this CD is definitely "
Well Done" and a must for 1920s jazz collectors. ~ Scott Yanow