Jazz at the New School

AMG Review of Jazz at the New School

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

Guitarist Eddie Condon and drummer Gene Krupa made their recording debut together in 1927, and this CD reissues their final recordings from 45 years later. Recorded in a classroom, the live concert has a quintet consisting of the always-exciting cornetist Wild Bill Davison (the star of the date), Kenny Davern on soprano, the great stride pianist Dick Wellstood, who made up for the absence of a bass, Condon and Krupa. For the reissue, a verbal introduction, closing remarks, and previously unreleased versions of "Struttin' with Some Barbeque" and "China Boy" were added to the original LP program. Highlights of the bright Dixieland date include "I Want to Be Happy," "That Da Da Strain" and "I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me." This was the perfect close to the colorful careers of Gene Krupa and, particularly, Eddie Condon.