Kid Ory Albums (8)
'Live at the Beverly Cavern'
Release Date 11/20/2000
Tracks 36
Label 504
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What The Critics Say
In 1959, trumpeter Red Allen became part of trombonist Kid Ory's New Orleans jazz band. The matchup was a bit odd because Allen was a pretty advanced player for a New Orleans musician, while Ory's band was very set in its ways. But there was enough overlap between their two approaches for the combination to work during that year. This particular band recorded three albums for Verve and was caught live during their European tour for sets released by Rarities and Queen Disc. The Storyville CD duplicates none of this and was released for the first time in 1998. The group (which also includes clarinetist Bob McCracken, pianist Cedric Haywood, rhythm guitarist Frank Haggerty, bassist Squire Gersh and drummer Alton Redd) performs a variety of dixieland standards including "Original Dixieland One Step," "Wolverine Blues," "St. James Infirmary" (which has an Allen vocal) and "High Society." Red Allen's main influence on the group was probably the utilization of faster tempoes. The strangest moments on this mostly conventional set are Ory's "alternate" (and rather risque) lyrics on "I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate." ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Kid Ory and His Creole Band at the Dixieland Jubilee'
Release Date 11/15/1997
Tracks 12
Label GNP Crescendo
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'Sounds of New Orleans, Vol. 9'
Release Date 12/14/1994
Tracks 10
Label Storyville
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What The Critics Say
Although trombonist Kid Ory had formerly used the veteran Mutt Carey and the nearly virtuosic Teddy Buckner as his trumpeters, Alvin Alcorn (who joined The Creole Jazz Band in 1954) proved to be his perfect partner. Alcorn's lyrical but passionate tone was well-featured on solos but it was his ensemble work (building up a song to several climaxes and expertly utilizing dynamics) that made him ideal for this band. This series of broadcasts from Kid Ory's main gig, the Hangover Club in San Francisco, features superior and rather exciting versions of such songs as "Eh, La Bas," "Maryland, My Maryland" "Mahogany Hall Stomp" and "Original Dixieland One-Step." Fans of New Orleans jazz will love this CD. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Creole Jazz Band'
Release Date 7/27/1992
Tracks 9
Label Good Time Jazz
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What The Critics Say
Trombonist Kid Ory, already 68 at the time of this recording, was at the peak of his powers in the mid-'50s. This particular version of his Creole Jazz Band was one of the finest, featuring trumpeter Alvin Alcorn and clarinetist George Probert, talented soloists who were also superb group players. Alcorn generated a lot of excitement perfectly placing long notes near the end of each ensemble chorus. This Good Time Jazz CD is almost up to the level of its 1954 and 1956 counterparts, highlighted by torrid versions of "Shake That Thing," "Royal Garden Blues" and "Indiana." ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Trombonist Kid Ory recorded what were arguably his finest recording sessions for Good Time Jazz. This double LP features Ory, trumpeter Alvin Alcorn and clarinetist Phil Gomez (one of his strongest frontlines) on 17 selections that epitomize the best in New Orleans jazz. Highlights include "Do What Ory Says," "Jazz Me Blues," "Original Dixieland One-Step," "Panama," "Maryland, My Maryland," "1919 Rag" and "Bugle Call Rag." Two selections ("Mood Indigo" and "Toot, Toot, Tootsie") have been left off the single-CD reissue. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Although trombonist Kid Ory's classic Good Time Jazz recordings of 1953-56 have been reissued many times, his nine Verve LPs of 1957-61 have yet to appear on CD. This album, his first for Verve, features Ory leading a group also including trumpeter Marty Marsala, clarinetist Darnell Howard, pianist Cedric Haywood, rhythm guitarist Frank Haggerty, bassist Charles Oden and drummer Earl Watkins. Although not as strong as his previous band with trumpeter Alvin Alcorn, Ory in 1957 still led one of the finest New Orleans jazz groups around, featuring solid soloists and a spirited ensemble sound. The set, one of his best for Verve, has among its highlights "Song of the Wanderer," "Mahogany Hall Stomp," "Sheik of Araby" and "Tiger Rag." ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Kid Ory's Creole Jazz Band (1954)'
Release Date 1/1/1954
Tracks 9
Label Good Time Jazz
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What The Critics Say
Although some Kid Ory fans might disagree, the veteran trombonist led his finest bands (at least the ones that recorded) in the 1950s. The one heard on this CD is really quite definitive, featuring the brilliant ensemble player (and distinctive soloist) Alvin Alcorn on trumpet, the talented clarinetist George Probert, and an excellent rhythm section (pianist Don Ewell, guitarist Bill Newman, bassist Ed Garland, and drummer Minor Hall). Their versions on this set of "That's A-Plenty," "Gettysburg March," "Clarinet Marmalade," and even "When the Saints Go Marching In" are true classics of New Orleans jazz. This joyous and exciting music is essential for all serious jazz collections. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
