Johnny Dodds: Blue Clarinet Stomp

Those of you who think early New Orleans jazzmen were ignorant hacks, please behold Charlie Alexander playing Vesti La Giubba to usher in the legendary Johnny Dodds. This unusual drumless trio sums up all the jaunty spirit of Storyville, with rhythmic firmness provided by bassist Bill Johnson (nicely audible) and Alexanders left hand. In hindsight, there were few early clarinetists greater than Dodds, whose brilliant tone, wide vibrato and awe-inspiring versatility are adequately captured on this 1928 gem.