Featured Album | Alternative Liner Notes

059 | Georg Brunis | And His Rhythm Kings | Jazzology J12 | 2000

Known as the ‘King of the Tailgate Trombone’, Georg Brunis is perhaps best remembered as the trombonist for the New Orleans Rhythm Kings, a band of friends from the Cresent City, formed after he moved to Chicago in the early twenties.  Playing by ear, Brunis (or to give him his real name, George Brunies), had already been performing in bands since the age of eight, steadily honing his flamboyant style.  He was a showman who incorporated bizarre humour into his live performances, occasionally inviting the heaviest audience member in the room to sit on his chest while he played his instrument.  Despite this strange behaviour, Brunis could also get the best out of his sidemen,  much of which comes across in these nine selections.  Joined by Dick Baars on cornet, Pat Patterson on clarinet, Clarence Hall on piano, Gene Mayl on both bass and tuba and Glenn Kimmel on drums, the band showcase the sound of New Orleans with some conviction, all nine selections being first takes with no mucking about with the tapes afterwards, therefore essentially, a live performance.                        

Playlist:

Mighty Mo and Jo – Hank Mobley (Hank Mobley)

Bourbon Street Parade – Georg Brunis & His Rhythm Kings (Georg Brunis & His Rhythm Kings)

The Lion and the Wolf – Lee Morgan (Lee-Way)

Wabash – Cannonball Adderley & John Coltrane (Cannonball & Coltrane)

Monterey Blues – Wes Montgomery (The Montgomery Brothers)

Virgo – Wayne Shorter (Night Dreamer)

Eclypso – Tommy Flanagan Trio (Overseas)

Jazz Me Blues – Georg Brunis & His Rhythm Kings (Georg Brunis & His Rhythm Kings)

El Luxo So – Stan Getz & Charlie Byrd (Jazz Samba)