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George Lewis

Alyn Shipton is joined by Tom Sancton, friend and protege of New Orleans clarinettist George Lewis, to select highlights from the latter's vast catalogue of recordings.

The New Orleans clarinettist George Lewis was the spearhead of the traditional jazz revival from 1942 until his death in 1969. In this programme, Alyn Shipton is joined by Lewis's friend and protege Tom Sancton to select the highlights from a vast catalogue of recordings. Music includes Bunk Johnson's brass and dance bands, Lewis's trio, quartet and Ragtime Band, and work with such other jazz legends as Lizzie Miles and De De Pierce.

Tom Sancton's memoir, A Song For My Fathers, is a remarkable portrait of his formative years growing up in New Orleans as a clarinet student of George Lewis, and a part of a world that was swept away for ever in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina. His playing experience and close friendship with many of the musicians covered makes this an unusually poignant edition of Jazz Library.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 26 Jun 2011 00:00

Music Played

  • George Lewis

    Spoken Introduction and Over The Waves

    Composer: Rosas Performers: GL Clt;, Kid Howard t; Jim Robinson, tb; Alton Purnell, p; Lawrence Marrero, bj; Slow Drag Pavageau, b; Joe Watkins, d. Bakersfield, CA, 28 May 1954.

    • Complete Blue Note Recordings of George Lewis.
    • Mosaic.
    • MD3 132 CD 2 Tracks 12/13.
  • Bunk Johnson's Original Superior Band

    Weary Blues

    Composer: Mathews Performers: GL, clt; Bunk Johnson, t; Jim Robinson, tb; Walter Decou, p; Lawrence Marrero, bj; Austin Young, b; Ernest Rogers, d; New Orleans: 11 June 1942

    • A Portrait of George Lewis: From Burgundy Street to Berlin.
    • Upbeat.
    • URCD 197.
  • George Lewis 3-piece band

    Burgundy Street Blues

    Composer: Lewis Performers: GL, clt; Lawrence Marrero, bj; Slow Drag Pavageau, b; 27 July 1944

    • With Kid Shots.
    • American Music Catalogue number: AMCD 2.
  • George Lewis

    Burgundy St Blues

    Composer: Lewis Performers: GL, clt; Alton Purnell, p; Lawrence Marrero, bj; Slow Drag Pavageau, b; Joe Watkins, d. New Orleans 1952

    • Municipal Auditorium Congo Square 1951-52.
    • American Music.
    • AMCD 107.
  • George Lewis and his New Orleans Stompers

    Climax Rag

    Composer: Scott Performers: GL, clt; Kid Howard, t; Jim Robinson, tb; Lawrence Marrero, bj; Chester Zardis, b; Edgar Mosley, d. New Orleans 16 May 1943

    • Complete Blue Note Recordings of George Lewis.
    • Mosaic.
    • MD3 132 CD 1.
  • Bunk Johnson Brass Band

    Just a Little While to Stay Here

    Composer: trad Performers: Bunk Johnson, Louis 'kid Shots' Madison, Trumpets; Jim Robinson, Trombone; George Lewis, Eb Clarinet; Isidore Barbarin, Alto Horn; Adolphe Alexander, Baritone Horn; Joe Clark, Bass Horn; Baby Dodds, Snare Drum; Lawrence Marrero, Bass Drum. New Orleans 18 May 1945

    • Bunk's Brass Band and Dance Band.
    • American Music.
    • AMCD 6.
  • Bunk Johnson and His New Orleans Band

    Tishomingo Blues

    Composer: ?

    • The Complete Deccas, Victors, and V-Discs 1945-6.
    • Document.
    • DOCD 1001.
  • George Lewis Ragtime band

    Mama Don't Allow It

    Composer: trad Performers: GL Clt;, Elmer Talbert, t, voc; Jim Robinson, tb; Alton Purnell, p; Lawrence Marrero, bj; Slow Drag Pavageau, b; Joe Watkins, d. 5 June 1950

    • A Portrait of George Lewis: From Burgundy Street to Berlin.
    • Upbeat.
    • URCD 197.
  • George Lewis Ragtime Band

    Louisian-i-a

    Composer: trad Performers: GL Clt;, Kid Howard t; Jim Robinson, tb; Alton Purnell, p, voc; Lawrence Marrero, bj; Slow Drag Pavageau, b; Joe Watkins, d. California 26 Oct 1953

    • Bands Trios and Quartets.
    • American Music.
    • AMCD 83.
  • Billie & De De Pierce

    Ciribiribin

    Composer: trad. Performers: GL clt; De De Pierce tp; Louis Nelson, tb; Billie Pierce, p; Papa John Joseph,b; Chinee Foster, d. 3 July 1962.

    • The Atlantic New Orleans Sessions.
    • Mosaic.
    • MD4 179 CD 3.

Broadcast

  • Sun 26 Jun 2011 00:00

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