Bernie Cummins 1924-1930 CD

Drummer Bernie Cummins led one of the top dance bands of the '20s and early '30s, although he is quite obscure today. Some of his best recordings are from the early '30s but this CD -- which is mostly from 1924-1927 (17 of the 26 selections with the remainder from 1930) -- shows that he had an impressive orchestra during an earlier period too. No big names emerged from Cummins' band, but the ensembles are quite musical, the arrangements swing well for the period, and the musicianship is impressive. Cummins' orchestra performed a wide variety of material but this CD concentrates on his more jazz-oriented recordings, including such numbers as "When," "St. Louis Blues," "Words," "Poplar Street Blues," and "Hand Me Down My Walking Cane." Hopefully, Bernie Cummins' slightly later recordings will also be reissued eventually. Recommended for 1920s jazz collectors. ~ Scott Yanow

this 26 track compilation is the first CD totally dedicated to dance band leader Cummins & His Orchestra, who never achieved the fame of his contemporaries, but nonetheless created a considerable amount of high quality output for the family-owned Gennett

Contains 26 tracks.

Personnel: Bernie Cummins (vocals, kazoo, drums); Paul Roberts (vocals, trumpet); Belle Mann (vocals); Jack King (alto, clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Wally Smith (alto, clarinet, alto saxophone); Paul Miller (violin); Ambrose Barringer, Ernie Mathias (trumpet); William Diehl (tuba, double bass); Archie Miller (piano).

Liner Note Author: Mark Berresford.

Recording information: 01/28/1924-11/04/1930.

Directors: Gene King; Bernie Cummins.