A unique presence in both traditional and early modern jazz,
Charles Ellsworth Pee Wee Russell succeeded in translating the human genome's enormous range of beauty, sincerity, vulnerability and quirkiness into friendly, good-time music, standing his ground amongst masterful improvisers and legendary ensembles without ever sacrificing one crumb of individuality. Living Era's
Take Me to the Land of Jazz may be approached as one of the best imaginable
Pee Wee Russell collections ever made available on either side of the Atlantic. Spanning the years 1927-1946, it traces his early adventures with
Bix Beiderbecke,
Frankie Trumbauer,
Miff Mole,
the Mound City Blue Blowers, and
Jack Bland's Rhythmakers.
Russell is also heard as a consistently creative member of traditional jazz bands led by
Eddie Condon,
Wild Bill Davison, and
Louis Prima, who sings "The Lady in Red" with uncontrived passion. Practically the entire second half of the collection features groups operating under
Russell's leadership, with an awesome collective personnel list made up of his greatest and most accomplished colleagues, including pianist
James P. Johnson, drummer
Zutty Singleton, trombonist
Vic Dickenson, saxophonist
Bud Freeman, trumpeter
Max Kaminsky, cornetist
Muggsy Spanier, and singing trombonist
Jack Teagarden.