Kansas City Five

This obscure collector's LP from the British VJM label has all of the music (except an alternate version of "Louisville Blues") by the 1924-1925 Kansas City Five, plus the one session from the Stompin' Six. Kansas City Five are most notable for having Bubber Miley on cornet (right about the time that he was developing his style) along with trombonist Jake Frazier, Bob Fuller on clarinet and alto, pianist Louis Hooper, and banjoist Elmer Snowden. There are also trio features in which Hooper and Snowden back Fuller ("Growin' Old Blues") and Frazier ("Jake's Weary Blues"). The Stompin' Six feature musicians from the Los Angeles area in 1925, including trombonist W.B. Woodman (the father of trombonist Britt Woodman) and pianist Sonny Clay. Overall this is a good set of scarce acoustic jazz. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide