Chris Barber Presents Cecil Scott & His Washboard Band – Harlem Washboard - RARE

	£		25
	$		33

VERY RARE JAZZ LP. According to ChrisBarber.net this has never been released on CD. It's a fantastic authentic Trad LP. Note: Chris Barber appears on three tracks, under the pseudonym T-Bone Jefferson.

Cecil Scott and his Washboard Band: Chris Barber Presents Harlem Washboard (1959)

THE SESSION — Described by CHRIS BARBER:

I first became aware of the existence of jazz towards the end of the war, when I was still at school. At this time there was no live American jazz to be heard in Europe and I, like so many others, had to buy records to find the music I loved. Long before the British jazz revival had taken shape I had amassed quite a collection of classic jazz recordings and so it was only natural that, years later when I had the good fortune to visit America, I should search for the music I had enjoyed so much and the musicians who had made those wonderful recordings.

Among my favourite records are many made by Clarence Williams, a great musician and arranger, who is still better known for his compositions. He made a series of records between 1925 and 1935 with his washboard band which have always had a special appeal for me — and which all possess a very characteristic sound and spirit.

During my Band's first tour of America in 1959, I had the privilege and pleasure of meeting Clarence Williams himself in his Long Island home, and my conversation with him and his wife, Eva Taylor, who sang on many of his old records, gave me the idea of trying to interest somebody in making an LP of a contemporary Clarence Williams Washboard Band. Unfortunately, Clarence himself had been very ill and had not been outside the house for many months, and so it was impossible for him to make any more records then.

However, I had already found three members of his original washboard band in New York, Cecil Scott, Eddie Allen and Floyd Casey, and I was able to leave the date in the capable hands of clarinettist Cecil Scott. He found a fine pianist, Don Frye, in place of Clarence, and a very skilful bassist, Leonard Gaskin, who plays on this session in place of tuba player Cyrus St. Clair, who died some years ago.

We also had the addition of trombonist T-Bone Jefferson, a friend of Cecil's who came along to listen — but ended up playing on three tracks.

We felt that, in this session, we had recreated the atmosphere and spirit of the old washboard band without actually moving backwards in time, and we enjoyed all the tracks very much. We hope you do too.

THE MUSICIANS — Thumbnailed by BRIAN RUST:

CECIL SCOTT: Born in Springfield, Ohio, November 22, 1905; moved to New York to play with brother, Lloyd Scott, and his orchestra. Recorded widely with Clarence Williams — on clarinet and tenor. Also worked with Fletcher Henderson and Teddy Hill. Freelancing since 1940. Known for his big, rich tone on tenor, and for typical "Mid-West" growl style on clarinet.

ED ALLEN: Born in Nashville, Tennessee, December 15, 1897. Raised in St. Louis; took up cornet in 1907; professional debut, 1914. Moved to Chicago, 1924, and the following year to New York, where he worked with Clarence Williams on many record dates and with Leroy Tibbs's orchestra. Freelanced during the 'thirties and has played a taxi-dance hall in New York, on 14th Street, since 1945. One of the great unrecognised men of jazz, possessed of a splendid tone, both open and muted.

DON FRYE: Another little-known great. Plays piano in Harlem "stride" style, but can also play "sweet." First recorded with King Oliver in 1929, then freelanced for years around New York, where, for the last eight years, he has played regularly with Wilbur de Paris at Ryan's — or has provided the relief work there to this band.

LEONARD GASKIN: Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., August 25, 1920. Has played bass with many of the "modern" pioneers, such as Dizzy Gillespie, the late Charlie Parker, Charlie Shavers, and also with violinist Eddie South. Joined Eddie Condon in 1956; still with him, and also engaged on radio and TV work.

FLOYD CASEY: Veteran drummer and washboard player of the old Clarence Williams records of 1927-1935. Born in St. Louis; first recorded there with Powell's Jazz Monarchs, 1926.

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