Stompy Jones

Stompy Jones

October 2003

1.  Oh Marie
2. Mary Had a Little Lamb
3. Whistle Stop
4. Woman's Intuition
5. Close Shave
6. Without You Here
7. You Can Depend on Me
8. That's Earl, Brother
9. Mondine
10. That Wig a Gotta Go
11. Boogie Woogie on a Saturday Night
12. Can't Find My Baby
13. Rug Cutter's Swing
14. Dream
15. Knock Me a Kiss
16. Juke Box Judy
17. Along the Navajo Trail

In this self-titled gem from Jewel Records, Stompy Jones continues to revisit the sounds and rhythms of the 1930's through the early 1950's, from Fletcher Henderson, Earl Hines, John Kirby, through Louis Jordan, Roy Milton, and Louis Prima, as well as six inspired cuts of their own. 17 tracks total. Released October 18, 2003.

BACKGROUND

Stompy Jones came into existence in May of 1998 at the Hi Ball Lounge in San Francisco. I talked the owners of the Hi Ball into letting me host a swing jam session on Tuesday nights with the intent of finding musicians interested in helping me form a rhythm and blues dance band. After a month of Tuesdays, I was set with a six-piece jump band that could recreate the jaunty blues sound of Louis Jordan and the Tympany Five.

This same scenario could have been told in the 1940s by Roy Milton, Joe Liggins, or T-Bone Walker. These musicians, all former big band members, crafting a small group sound based on the enormous success of Louis Jordan, created the Rhythm and Blues Era, as well as, the independent record industry. This West coast phenomenon became the foundation of Top 40 radio and what is now called Rock 'n Roll.

These small group sounds, the shuffle drumming, bounce piano, arpeggiated bass lines. were also the basis for Louis Prima's success in Las Vegas in the late 1950s. Prima put lounge music on the map with his revved-up jump style.

I have endeavored to recreate these historic sounds, as well as, combine these vintage elements with a contemporary sensibility, to craft the solid sound of Stompy Jones