[Dixielandjazz] tuba, bass, etc

[Bill Haesler]

In John Gill's excellent summary he wrote:
> Oliver didn't use a tuba until he organized his larger orchestra in the mid 1920's. His classic records use bass and bass sax. 

Sorry John, 
Not on the classic Oliver Creole Jazz Band recordings.
April, June & October 1923 it was banjo (no sting bass).
25 October 1923 a bass sax was added.
26 October & 24 December bass sax, but no banjo.
Sorry about that.
Bill Johnson teamed up with King Oliver in 1922 and, it seems was band manager in 1923. 
Based on a study of the music press reports, there is some doubt that he actually played, on a regular basis, with the band during 1923. 
And incidentally, contrary to some discographal claims, the banjo player on the early Oliver Creole Jazz Band recordings is Bud Scott. My ears told me so back in the 1940s. They still do.
Yes, Johnson is shown holding a bass and banjo in some of the Oliver CJB publicity photos. But throughout 1923 there was no string bass on the band's recordings. 
Perhaps, as has been suggested, the primitive recording systems could not pick up a string bass properly.
If so, how come the Friars Society Orchestra used Steve Brown on string bass in the same Gennett studios in August 1922. 
Johnson's bass playing on later 1920s recordings was certainly very powerful, in the New Orleans tradition.
As can be heard on Johnny Dodds Washboard Band's "Bull Fiddle Blues" (Chicago. 6 July 1926):
  http://redhotjazz.com/Songs/dodds/bullfiddle.ram
To compare the Oliver and Watters band has always been a silly notion, as you have pointed out.
Back in the mid 40s I loved that happy Watter's sound.
I still do.
The only jazz-revival band to come close to the Oliver CJB sound (on record) was led by Paris-based Frenchman Claude Luter in 1947. Before Sidney Bechet took it over as his 'backing band'.
And, in the Oliver tradition, Luter did not use string bass on his records at this time.
If you can find it, listen to the Luter original, "Pimlico".
I used to play this French Swing 78 to friends as a newly discovered unissued Oliver CJB test pressing!
Playing it now for old times sake.
Very kind regards,
Bill.