Jazz / Christmas, Gospel, Spirituals, Holidays
Ben Smith Group Member, Trombone
Brian O'Neill Producer, Arranger
Charles Brent Arranger, Producer
David Farrell Editing
Earl Bonie Clarinet, Group Member
Everett Link Group Member, Bass
Hank Waring Digital Mastering
John Shoup Executive Producer
Luther Kent Guest Appearance
Mike Fulton Trumpet, Group Member
After the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in August of 2005, many musicians sought to help with benefit concerts and recordings. This christmas CD by the Dukes of Dixieland, with help from singer Luther Kent, the Pfister Sisters, and Moses Hogan's Gospel Choir, along with bells provided by the Salvation Army, mixes Christmas carols and spirituals in an upbeat setting. A good portion of the disc consists of instrumentals. The Dukes of Dixieland strut their stuff in a playful "O' Tannenbaum" and a stride-filled romp through "Sleigh Ride." "Come Home for Christmas" and "Second Line Santa" showcase Luther Kent's raucous vocals. The harmonies of the Pfister Sisters are a throwback to the Andrews Sisters of the 1940s; they are featured in a laid-back "Winter Wonderland" and a lush treatment of "The Christmas Song." "This Little Light of Mine" showcases the gospel choir while adding some fine muted trombone by Ben Smith and the down-home piano from Scott Obenschain. It is impossible not to get in the spirit when listening to this cheerful holiday outing, though it is a pity that no booklet was included to inform purchasers a little more about the musicians and vocalists on this release. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
Dukes of Dixieland
Active Decades: '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and '00s
Born: 1948
Died: 1974
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Dixieland, New Orleans Jazz Revival
Trumpeter Frank Assunto (who was also a fine singer) and his brother/trombonist Fred Assunto formed the Dukes of Dixieland in 1948 and won a Horace Heidt talent contest. In 1950, they started a long engagement at the Famous Door in New Orleans. An early member of the group was clarinetist Pete Fountain and the Assunto's father, Papa Jac, joined the band in 1955 on banjo and second trombone. The group's first recordings were for Band Wagon in 1951 and Fountain appeared on their 1955 Vik date, but the Dukes really caught on with a dozen albums cut for Audio Fidelity during 1956-1960. During this period, the Dukes also recorded twice with Louis Armstrong. The band hit its peak with their Columbia records of 1961-1964 (featuring clarinetist Jerry Fuller), particularly an exciting set recorded at Disneyland. Their Decca and Coral dates of 1965-1966, although of some interest, are a step down in quality. Both Fred (1966) and Frank (1974) died of cancer. In the late '70s, a new Dukes of Dixieland was formed but this group is somewhat corny and inferior in quality, having no real connection to the original band.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
