My New Years Eve trio, “The Heirloom Trio” just got confirmed to play a nice gig later this Spring and the client requested some audio clips for promotion. Since the Heirloom Trio has not recorded anything so far, I posted a link to a bunch of tracks from “Wise Guys Down In Dixieland” of the Golden Gate Rhythm Boys, a similar trio composed of Jim Rothermel, Bill Maginnis (drums) and me. It is actually two s
eparate recordings, the latter one a quartet with John Moore on tuba rather than me playing pedal bass. There is also one track, “Lydia, The Tatooed Lady” with the late Bill Carroll on tuba, sadly, the last thing he ever recorded.
This May, 2019, will mark the eighth anniversary of Jim’s death and I still miss playing with him. Listening to some of the tracks I am again struck by how wonderful he sounds on whatever reed instrument he happened to be playing at any one time. I think you will probably agree.
“Avalon” Al Jolson & Vincent Rose, 1920
“Wise Guy” Turk Murphy, 1954
“At A Georgia Camp Meeting” Kerry Mills, 1897
You can download a zip file of all the tracks in MP3 format of the “Wise Guys Down In Dixieland” CD for $10 here:
Just wonderful Scott….. I often think of jim …especially when someone asks me who I think is a great clarinet player in recent years… Jim is my answer. …….and you are my answer if they ask about Banjo! Jim can play lead, solo … and better than anyone I’ve ever heard… play harmony/fill in a dixeland front line! And his tone… always supurb!
No matter how good the band’s renditions of “C.U.B.A.” post-Rothermel may be – and they are – it’s hard to listen for, and not hear, his fine work up in the sopranino range.
Louis, I know! Thanks for the comment.