[Dixielandjazz] good recordings to learn from

[billsharp]

Whenever I'm teaching students Dixieland style playing, I have them get 
a copy of Harry Connick's  "ELEVEN".. this is a straight -ahead Cd with 
every tune being a super standard (like Sweet Georgia Brown, Dr. Jazz 
et. al) in the standard keys. Arrangements are simple so that 11 year 
old Harry could play along with the professional musicians hired to be 
the band.  CDs  by the "Hot Jazz Band Of Hungary"  and "TITAN HOT FIVE" 
(or Seven) will provide contemporary hot sounds to the mouldy tunes of 
the past.  Once again, these bands play well-known tunes in "the right 
keys", so that if you play along with them, and then go to a gig, you 
will have learned the songs in the keys most likely to be called.  
Using CDs  from bands like these is how I do my daily practice - - -I 
cue up a CD then play along with the band until the last song, using 
fast reverse to repeat phrases/melodies I want to learn.  Most Jazz Cds 
are close to an hour, and the time flies when you are performing with 
the best, and it doesn't feel like practice, it feels like more of 
personal jam session (you quickly learn what it means to use the 
expression  "time flies when you're having fun".)  I also love playing 
along with a couple of Cds by Guy Van Deuser/Billy Novick because just 
these 2 guys lay down some of the nicest stuff availble, and if you 
play along it allows you room to fit in. For general learning of just 
trad/dixieland style playing, almost anything with Wild Bill Davidson 
or Eddie Condon will work.  These guys always surrounded themselves 
with great musicians.