Jones & Collins Astoria Hot Eight - Damp Weather

Although sadly underrated and forgotten, this is one of the great New Orleans bands of the 20's. David Jones was a saxophone player, best remembered for having played with King Oliver. Lee Collins was a star trumpeter of old New Orleans who later led many dance bands, Dixieland groups and combos during his 50 year career. While still a teenager, he was already playing in the old New Orleans Brass Bands, including the Young Eagles, the Columbia Band, and the Young Tuxedo Band. In the 30s Collins worked with Johnny Dodds and formed a band that toured the U.S.A. until the mid 40s. Collins also played briefly in 1930 with the Luis Russell orchestra in New York, before returning to Chicago, where, throughout the 30s and 40s, he was a regular fixture in Chicago clubs and often accompanied many of the local Blues singers. In the 1950s his health declined, however he continued to tour. This brilliant performance, very appropriate taking into account the current weather, was made in 1929.