Norwegian transplant
Lars Edegran
formed
the New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra
in 1967 to preserve some of the New Orleans music that he loved. The band has been going strong ever since, playing gigs from
the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
to
the Satchmo Summer Fest
. They specialize in
ragtime
music, of course, as well as
waltzes
, cakewalks,
blues
, and
marches
, such as one might hear at the refined
Creole
balls of the era. The beautiful women in attendance inspired the song that became the title cut here (half of which was recorded in the early '70s and half in the late '80s), and it captures the exuberant and elegant spirit of that bygone era. The album features many
Scott Joplin
compositions, both well-known and obscure, such as
"Maple Leaf Rag,"
"The Entertainer,"
"The Ragtime Dance,"
"The Wall Street Rag,"
and
"The Chrysanthemum."
There are contributions from
Jelly Roll Morton
,
George Lewis
Nick LaRocca
, among others. All the tunes are lovingly rendered by an all-star cast of musicians, including
Lionel Ferbos
on trumpet and vocals,
Orange Kellin
on clarinet,
Paul Crawford
on trombone,
Frank Fields
on bass,
William Russell
on violin,
Richard Payne
on bass and tuba,
John Robichaux
on drums and vocals, and bandleader
Edegran
on banjo, guitar, and piano. They swing in the old-time way on a host of memorable tunes, including the beautiful
"Purple Rose of Cairo,"
"Panama,"
"Love Will Find a Way,"
"The Rubber Plant Rag,"
"Red Pepper."
It was a glorious era, and
will take you there. You will not be disappointed. ~ Rose of Sharon Witmer