Central Avenue Sounds: Jazz in Los Angeles 1921-1956 [Box]

Performer: Various Artists
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Compilation producers: Steven Isoardi, Bob Carlton, Patrick Milligan. Includes liner notes by Steven Isoardi, Floyd Levin, Phils Pastras, Ken Poston and Jim Dawson. Digitally remastered by Bob Fisher. Los Angeles is not usually seen as a hotbed of African-American musical creativity in the first half of the 20th century, but this deluxe box set deflates that misconception in a hurry. From 1921 to 1956 -- the time frame covered by the four discs of Central Avenue Sounds -- jazz of all kinds flourished on Central Avenue, L.A.'s main stem of sepia culture. Kicking off with the ultra rare 78 of "Ory's Creole Trombone" by Kid Ory (the original recording finally speed-corrected to 85.3 rpm), the first disc moves effortlessly, showing who stopped in Los Angeles to record, who stayed, and who jazz's early pioneers were. Early sides from Ory, Jelly Roll Morton, Lionel Hampton, Lester Young, Lee Young, T-Bone Walker, Louis Armstrong, Art Tatum, and the highly underrated Paul Howard Quality Serenaders make up the highlights. Disc two brings the early sounds of jump blues into the mix with sides from the Nat "King" Cole Trio, Hadda Brooks, Joe Liggins, Johnny Otis, and Johnny Moore's Three Blazers, as well as early bop from Charlie Parker and Charles Mingus. Disc three follows the bop and big band trail with seminal sides from Howard McGhee, Gerald Wilson, Dexter Gordon, Teddy Edwards, and Buddy Collette, with blues and jump from T-Bone Walker, Nellie Lutcher, Pee Wee Crayton, and Roy Milton. The final disc moves into the 1950s and shows just how fine the boundary between jazz and R&B truly was, with high-octane sides by Roy Porter's 17 Beboppers, Charles Brown, Wardell Gray, and Camille Howard, as well as honking sax showcases by Big Jay McNeely. There's some amazing music aboard this sumptuous set, and the whole shebang shines the spotlight on a strong and varied musical scene that hasn't been around the reissue block a million times. All kinds of jazz was played on L.A.'s Central Avenue and here are four discs that rightly showcase what a varied and interesting lot it all was. ~ Cub Koda

Rolling Stone (12/9/99, p.81) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...loaded with remarkable, rare live and studio tracks....This anthology serves as a great historical primer..." Entertainment Weekly (9/17/99, p.81) - "...The less heralded, far earthier music of L.A.'s African-American jazz community gets its props on this eye-opening four-CD set that touches on the work of progenitors...blues-based stylists...swing giants...and bop pioneers..." - Rating: A- JazzTimes (1-2/00, pp.109-10) - "...There is some fine music on these four CDs, along with some curiosities....What emerges in this portrait...is a scene that...had its remarkable moments and important personalities....'makes the case' for L.A.'s seminal locale in jazz's evolution." Living Blues (1-2/00, pp.79-80) - "...a jazz-lover's delight....It's hard to imagine a blues or jazz fan who won't enjoy every minute of [this album]."

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