Early Jazz & Jimmie Noone

Jimmie Noone

Source: MooPig Wisdom

Born 23 April 1895 in Cut Off, Louisiana, Jimmie Noone headed to New Orleans with his family at age fifteen, whence he switched from guitar to clarinet and studied with Lorenzo Tio and Sidney Bechet (age 13 at the time). He broke out the gate into professional music in 1913 upon joining Freddie Keppard's Olympia Band which he followed to Chicago where joined Ollie Powers' Harmony Syncopators, the latter with which he contributed to five takes of 'Play That Thing' in September of 1923 as documented by Scott Alexander (Red Hot Jazz) and Tom Lord. Between all five takes of 'Play That Thing' releases can be a little troublesome. Matrices are 1502-1, 1502-3, 1502-4, 1502-5, 1502-6 (no 1502-2). The first two matrices (1502-1 and 1502-3) saw issue on Claxtonola 40263. The latter three matrices saw issue on Paramount 12059. Numerous reissues were made of all. Howsoever, Powers also recorded two takes of 'Jazzbo Jenkins' in September of 1923 toward issue on Paramount 12059 (Noone replaced on clarinet by Philmore Holly). Tom Lord traces Powers to only four other titles during his career, his first in June of 1923 with pianist, Clarence Jones, toward Paramount 12047, his last unissued from a session in January 1925 with Shelton Brooks at piano and Raymond Mayo on banjo.

The next month in October 1923 Noone joined King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band with which he contributed to titles like 'Chattanooga Stomp' for Columbia. In January 1924 it was Charles Doc Cook on titles like 'Moanful Man' for Gennett Records. Noone also joined Cook on numerous titles in 1926 and 1927.

'Love Found You For Me'   Jimmie Noone w Cookie's Gingersnaps of Charles Doc Cook

Recorded 22 June 1926 in Chicago   Okeh 40675

'Alligator Crawl'   Jimmie Noone w Charles Doc Cook & His 14 Doctors of Syncopation

Recorded 11 June 1927 in Chicago   Columbia 1298-D

It was 1926 when Noone had formed his Apex Club Orchestra of which pianist, Earl Hines, was a member. His first session with that outfit was held on 16 May 1928 in Chicago for Vocalion.

'Four Or Five Times'   Jimmie Noone & His Apex Club Orchestra

Recorded 16 May 1928 in Chicago

One of 2 takes (C-1939-B / C-1939-C) both issued on Vocalion 1185

'Every Evening'   Jimmie Noone & His Apex Club Orchestra

Recorded 16 May 1928 in Chicago

One of 2 takes (C-1940-B / C-1940-C) both issued on Vocalion 1185

'Sweet Lorraine'   Jimmie Noone & His Apex Club Orchestra

Recorded 25 Aug 1928 in Chicago

2nd of 2 takes   Brunswick 80023

'It's Tight Like That'   Jimmie Noone & His Apex Club Orchestra

Recorded 27 Dec 1928 in Chicago

1 of 2 takes both issued on Vocalion 1238

When the Apex Club was shut down upon a raid in 1929 Noone shuffled about other clubs in Chicago, NYC and New Orleans. Per 1936 below, 'The Blues Jumped a Rabbit' possibly originated with Blind Lemon Jefferson's 1926 'Rabbit Foot Blues'.

'The Blues Jumped a Rabbit'   Jimmie Noone & His New Orleans Band

Recorded 15 Jan 1936 in Chicago   Decca 18439

'I Know That You Know'   Jimmie Noone & His Orchestra

Recorded 1 Dec 1937 in NYC   Decca 1584

'New Orleans Hop Scop Blues'   Jimmie Noone & His Orchestra

Recorded 6 May 1940 in NYC   Decca 18095

In 1943 Noone moved to Los Angeles where he played with his band at the Café de Paris in Hollywood and performed on four broadcasts of 'The Orson Welles Almanac' radio show with the All Star New Orleans Band including Kid Ory. On the morning Noone was to play the fifth show he died of heart attack, April 19, 1944. His last recordings had been in March for Capitol Records toward an album called 'New American Jazz'. His passing was immediately honored by Ory per 'Blues For Jimmy' (aka 'Jimmy's Blues') recorded on 19 April 1944 with Wade Whaley replacing Noone. Lord has that broadcast issued on numerous labels including Folklyric 9008 and Olympic 7109. Ory would record 'Jimmy's Blues' on multiple occasions over the years.

'Blues for Jimmy'   Kid Ory & His Creole Jazz Band   Tribute to Noone

Recorded 3 Aug 1944 in Los Angeles   Crescent 2