When I reviewed a CD by this group a couple of years ago, I commented that they played the "Uptown" style of New Orleans jazz and did it very well. The addition of Butch Thompson on piano, for this session, adds the final touch you'd expect if they were playing at Preservation Hall.

The leader, Norrie Cox, began playing clarient in England and led the San Jacinto Hall band there, before moving to the United States. Charlie DeVore, Bill Evans and Don Berg are all expatriates of the Hall Brotehrs Band. Jim Klippert co-founded the Magnolia Jazz Band and later, was co-leader of the Zenith Jazz Band. Mike Carrell led the Brass Bell Jazz Band in the 60s and 70s.

Thompson was also a member of the Hall Brothers Band for twenty years... as their clarinetist! On this CD he is featured on three solo numbers and demonstrates his well earned reputation as a fine jazz pianist.

The other players also have their opportunities to shine, as part of the band or taking exciting solos whenever they get the nod from the leader. But this is New Orleans Jazz and no one player dominates. It is a team effort and they play the music just as it would have been played in a New Orleans dance hall seventy years ago. And still play it very well, indeed.

A.C. Stone