Blue Jazz is a collection of various bands stretching back to 1927 and going as far ahead as 1941, defining pre-swing era vintage jazz, the short-lived swing era, and big bands that came through both. Early Frankie Trumbauer and Bix Beiderbecke lead into Eddie Condon’s Chicagoans, Teddy Wilson, and Count Basie with Jimmy Rushing, followed by the Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman bands. Twenty-four selections are more weighted towards music in the ’30s, thirteen total. As the tracks are not arranged in chronological order you don’t really hear the progression of styles, but the “blue” thread is evident in all of the ensembles. Collectors might be more interested in the obscure selections included in this slice of jazz Americana. – Michael G. Nastos
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