The Bobcats

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Starting in the mid-1930s, the Bob Crosby Orchestra and the small group out of the big band (the Bobcats) helped lead the way towards the revival of Dixieland a few years later.

While Bob Crosby was himself just a so-so singer and a frontman, his band was filled with top soloists, most of whom had long careers.

In the early 1950s they made a series of Snader Transcriptions for television which, unlike the Soundies of the 1940s, were recorded live.

Here is an explosive version of “Muskrat Ramble” that features trumpeter Billy Butterfield, trombonist Warren Smith, clarinetist Matty Matlock, tenor-saxophonist Eddie Miller, and pianist Jess Stacy (each of whom have one-chorus solos) with backup by rhythm guitarist Nappy Lamare, bassist Bob Haggart, and drummer Ray Bauduc.

This is the way to play Dixieland, with no-holds barred ensembles and fiery solos full of energy and joy

-Scott Yanow

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