The modern trombone can be traced back to the 14th and 15th century "sackbut," a rudimentary slip horn descended from the medieval slide trumpet. The 20th century jazz trombone grew directly from the life and work of
Kid Ory (1886-1973), master of the purr, the growl, and the unmistakable "tailgate" glissando forever associated with old-fashioned New Orleans street parades and social functions. Living Era's
Kid Ory tribute compilation illustrates his essential involvement in the establishment and development of traditional New Orleans jazz.
Ory is heard leading his own
Sunshine Orchestra in 1922; sitting in with
King Oliver,
Jelly Roll Morton,
Louis Armstrong, and
Johnny Dodds during the years 1926-1927; and leading his own
Creole Jazz Band (with
Mutt Carey and
Jimmie Noone) in March and April of 1944. The artistic breadth and depth represented by the collective personnel heard on these 25 vintage tracks is awe-inspiring and profound. There are several
Kid Ory retrospectives on the market, and this one rates with the very best of them.