[Dixielandjazz] soprano fun

[Bill Haesler]

ROBERT R. CALDER wrote (in part):
> It is a little known fact -- it's true -- that Doc Cheatham not only 
> played soprano, he recorded on the instrument.. [in a] band also 
> including a "musical saw".........The personnel listing doesn't go 
> into sufficient detail to tell one whether Albert Wynn's trombone -- 
> if it was his -- was of the valve or slide variety...........The 
> session was under the name of  Ma Rainey.

Dear Robert,
Ah Ma Rainey!
I became hooked on her in the late 40s and have had all of her records 
for years.
Rough, most badly recorded and, unfortunately, only well-loved 78s seem 
to have survived making restoration difficult.
Her music is definitely an acquired taste.
When we were jazz kids we thought that that musical saw on that 1926 
Georgia Band session was a swanee whistle. It certainly creates an 
eerie sound.
But I never really thought about the soprano on the session, as it 
isn't very prominent on any of the three songs.
However, the trombonist Al Wynn does play a slide on the date and solos 
on "Broken Soul Blues".
Discographer Chris Hillman recently revisited this session in 
connection with his published research on cornet/trumpet player Dave 
Nelson.
Kind regards,
Bill.