During the 35 years of
Fessor's Big City Band, the group was often tagged as a Dixieland or New Orleans band. Although the spirited group did play some trad classics and recorded with
Wild Bill Davison, trombonist
Ole "Fessor" Lindgreen was always much more interested in performing swing, R&B, blues, and more modern styles of jazz. In 2003 he turned 65 and decided to break up the band, so
Final Call is its last studio recording. The three-horn sextet is joined on a few numbers by violin, clarinet, and organ or accordion. The music includes a catchy version of
Charles Mingus' "My Jelly Roll Soul" (the closest that the band comes on this set to New Orleans jazz), a thoughtful piano tribute to
Jelly Roll Morton ("Ferdinand"), and several blues, including the jazz waltz "Elith's Farm." The music can appeal to a large audience including fans of
the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, R&B-ish jazz, and blues. All in all, this is a fine closing chapter for a difficult-to-classify group. ~ Scott Yanow