Dixieland at Jazz, Ltd.

For several decades, starting in 1947, Jazz Ltd. was a constant in Chicago, a club run by clarinetist Bill Reinhardt that featured freewheeling Dixieland and New Orleans jazz. This Atlantic LP (whose contents have since been reissued on a Delmark CD) mostly features recordings from 1949, with one session from 1951. Although not recorded live, all of these selections showcase musicians who appeared at Jazz Ltd. The 1949 numbers have the rhythm section of pianist Don Ewell, bassist Sid Thall, and drummer Wally Gordon joined by clarinetist Reinhardt, trombonist Munn Ware, and, on various tunes, either soprano saxophonist Sidney Bechet or Muggsy Spanier, or Doc Evans on trumpet. The later selections team a different rhythm section with Reinhardt, Doc Evans, and trombonist Miff Mole. Other than Bechet's "Egyptian Fantasy," all of the music consists of Dixieland warhorses (including "Maryland My Maryland," "High Society," and "Jazz Me Blues") played with spirit by the notable musicians.