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Pee Wee Erwin: With Vic Dickenson, Gene Sedric & Morey Feld

By Dave Nathan
March 1, 2001
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The 14th in a series which now totals 16 releases, this album stays well within the thematic contours established by Storyville for its Dr. Jazz series. Pee Wee Erwin joins those other masters of traditional jazz that the Danish label has gathered for Dr. Jazz albums including groups headed by Eddie Condon, George Wettling and Henry "Red" Allen. On this album, Pee Wee Erwin is joined by long time associates Vic Dickenson and Gene "Honey Bear" Sedric in live performances from the jazz venue on East 47th Street in NYC run by Lou Terassi. These performances have not been available to the jazz public until now.

Although he never gained the same prominence as better known his contemporaries like Wild Bill Davison and Bunny Berigan, Erwin had a long and productive career including working in the trumpet section of bands headed by Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey. It is Erwin's powerful trumpet that is heard on such Dorsey recordings as "Who". With his wide range and flowing technique, he played hard, with verve and enthusiasm, as heard on such cuts as "Fine and Dandy" and that favorite of trad jazz players, "Sheik of Araby". Erwin's teammates at the Terassi gig worked well as a unit. Gene "Honey Bear" Sedric, long a member of the various Fats Waller groups, blows both hot and mellow on such cuts as "Louisiana" and "Clarinet Marmalade". Foremost jazz trombonist Vic Dickenson, brings his distinctive sound to the proceedings. He is especially eloquent on a romantic "Tenderly". While there are some slow cuts on this album, judging from their reaction, the audience came for and expected to hear hot jazz. And they weren't disappointed with rousers like At "The Jazz Band Ball" and "Panama".

Erwin stayed active until 1981 when he gave his last performance in Holland. This album is a splendid tribute to one of the more steadfast and consistent jazz performers.

Track Listing

Theme (Tin Roof Blues); That's a Plenty; Squeeze Me; At the Jazz Band Ball; Clarinet Marmalade; Fidgety Feet; Memphis Blues; Love Is just around the Corner; Fine and Dandy; Sensation Rag; Tenderly; Panama; Louisiana; Way Down Yonder in New Orleans; Sheik of Araby

Personnel

Pee Wee Erwin

Pee Wee Erwin - Trumpet; Vic Dickenson - Trombone; Gene Sedric - Clarinet; Teddy Roy - Piano; Johny Gruiffrida - Bass; Morey Feld - Drums

Album information

Title: With Vic Dickenson, Gene Sedric & Morey Feld | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Storyville Records

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