[Dixielandjazz] Re: Dixielandjazz Digest, Vol 10, Issue 45

[Brian Towers]

Steve,
I have to respectfully disagree with you.  It is my firm belief that the
1926 Morton version of Dr Jazz was the defining version for most of the
subsequent recordings, with a few exceptions for those bands who went to the
original sheet music, like Turk Murphy etc.
In other words I am postulating that, if Morton had not recorded his
wonderful 1926 interpretation, there would not have even been a version by
George Lewis in the 1950's.    A lot of the latter-day trad bands copied the
simplified 1950's Lewis version (I'm not knocking it) but they do,
indirectly, have to thank JRM for setting the ball rolling and showing what
could be done with the song.
Regards,
Brian Towers


> Reply-To: barbonestreet at earthlink.net
> Message: 10
>
> Well. I'm not sure who did the "definitive" version, but if one searches
> google, one finds that the George Lewis version, early 1950s, seems to
> be the most popular one these days. By the number of listings it
> garners.
>
> Both the Jelly Roll Morton Db and George Lewis Eb versions can be heard
> by searching Google. Omer Simeon is exquisite on the JRM version.
>
> Cheers,
> Steve Barbone