Richard M. Jones was more important as a talent scout and an organizer of bands than as a pianist. This Classics CD features
Jones as a soloist on two numbers from 1923 ("Jazzin' Babies Blues" and "12th Street Rag"); with the
Chicago Hottentots backing the mediocre singer
Lillie Delk Christian; playing with
Nelson's Paramount Serenaders and
Hightower's Night Hawks; and leading his own
Jazz Wizards. Among the other players are clarinetist
Albert Nicholas, banjoist
Johnny St. Cyr, cornetist
Shirley Clay, and trombonist
Preston Jackson. Although the music is generally not all that classic, this formerly rare material has its strong moments and gives one a good example of middle-of-the-road Chicago jazz of the mid-'20s.
–
Scott Yanow, Rovi