A national symbol of the New Orleans jazz tradition, clarinetist George Lewis started his professional career in 1917, playing in trombonist Kid Ory’s legendary band. He remained a local fixture in the New Orleans French Quarter, leading his band in the famed Bourbon Street jazz clubs. Lewis finally toured the states in the early 1950’s, achieving national recognition, and repeatedly toured Europe and Japan in the 1960’s. Recorded in October of 1953, Ragtime Band Vol. 1 ranks as one of the greatest sessions of straight up New Orleans style jazz ever recorded. Here we find Lewis’ clarinet leading one of the last of the real New Orleans jazz bands featuring Avery "Kid" Howard (vocals, trumpet); Alton Purnell (vocals, piano); Joe Watkins (vocals, drums); Monette Moore (vocals); Jim Robinson (trombone); Lawrence Marreo (banjo) and Alcide "Slow Drag" Pavageau (bass). All selections newly remastered.
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