With 38 tracks and a 59-page booklet, it is hard to go past this set as the best available compact history of OzJazz. The project's guiding light was Ron Wills, a prominent figure in the Oz recording industry for almost 50 years. Some of the early tracks come courtesy of his 78-rpm collection, which is now in the National Film and Sound Archive.
King of the Trocadero Frank Coughlan 1925-65 [Larrikin]
Trombone-playing bandleader Frank Coughlan is often cited as the 'Father of Australian Jazz'. He made his mark as leader of the danceband at the Sydney Trocadero, which opened in 1936 and was associated with Coughlan for next 35 years. This CD contains a healthy sampling of Coughlan at his swinging best.
Memphis Records The Southern Jazz Group 1947-50 [Memphis] 2CDs
The Southern Jazz Group was a highly influential outfit that helped shape a distinctly Australian and very popular trad/revivalist sound. Led by trombonist/pianist Dave Dallwitz, the band was a huge hit at the first Australian Jazz Convention in 1946. This archive project contains recordings made for Memphis and other labels.
The Unheard Titles From 1948 Graeme Bell and His Australian Jazz Band 1948 [Harlequin]
With his Australian Jazz Band, pianist Bell knocked out some of the hottest jazz around from 1947-52. A one-year tour of Europe in 1947-48 saw him record in Czechoslovakia, Paris and London before returning home to found the Swaggie label. Although hard to find, a determined net dredger can still pick up this CD of 1948 recordings.
Australian Jazz Archives Series Graeme Bell and His Australian Jazz Band 1949-50 [GHB]
More trad recordings from what is generally regarded as pianist Bell's classic period from 1947-52. After returning from an extended tour of Europe in mid-1949, Bell helped found the Swaggie label. Having gained a reputation as one of the hottest trad outfits around, Bell's band continued to record prolifically up to 1967.
The Naked Dance Len Barnard's Jazz Band 1961 [Swaggie/Telefil]
Drummer Len Barnard explains why this trad effort was so successful: "We were all playing fairly regularly in the sixties and put this album down in a large, open studio, front-line facing rhythm section, and we could hear and see each other very clearly. No closets or time lags." True blue OzJazz classic - the CD includes nine bonus tracks.
The Famous PIX Sessions Various Artists 1961-62 [Australian Jazz Reissues] 2CDs
Starting life as mail-order records from PIX magazine, this digitally restored set contains the five original 10" LPs. Featured are Ray Price & His Port Jackson Jazz Band, Graeme Bell & His Original Jazz Band and a 'PIX All Stars' lineup with the Barnard brothers, Bob and Len. Absolute classic trad and swing from some of Australia's finest.
Creole Rhapsody Red Onion Jazz Band 1969 [GHB]
The somewhat non-descript international cover for this record bills the band as the Red Onions in order to avoid confusion over another ROJB recording at the time. This is the real OzJazz deal though, drummer Allan Browne's fabulous trad/revivalist lineup pumping through 14 classic tracks that are sure to get the joint jumping.
