The 1946 AMERICAN MUSIC trio recordings by trumpeter Bunk Johnson are a stunning contrast to the rough-and-ready sides by the band with Jim Robinson, George Lewis, Lawrence Marrero, Slow Drag Pavageau and Baby Dodds. For the trio date, Bunk selected the musicians and the repertoire. For many New Orleans Jazz lovers, the trio sides are some of the very best recordings ever made by Bunk. The combination of Don Ewell’s beautiful Jelly Roll Morton style piano, the understated but rock-steady drumming of Alphonse Steele inspired Bunk to new
creative heights as the group played an unusual mix of songs from the Victorian era to World War I. Bunk sounded more relaxed and confident than ever before.

I remember listening to “You’ve Got To See Mama” on a STORYVILLE LP in the late 1960s. Hearing Bunk playing his “fancy variations,” two joyful Morton-tinged choruses by Ewell and that unobtrusive, supportive drumming was a life-changing experience for me. Pianist Steve Pistorius reacted the same way the first time he heard the trio records and so, I suspect, did our cornetist Paul Morris.

Over the years, Steve and I have played in “Bunk-style” trios with a variety of other musicians. The concept never grows tiresome. Rather, it is a welcome opportunity to play one of our favorite styles. When Paul asked if we would be interested in recording with a cornet-piano-drum trio, the answer was “YES!” before the question was complete.

We were introduced to Paul at the New Orleans Trad Jazz Camp. In student band sessions, Paul demonstrated a remarkable understanding of the great Crescent City musical traditions concerning tempo, dynamics, shading and old-style swing. So…it was not at all surprising when Paul expressed an interest in recording with a “Bunk Trio.”

After several e-mail exchanges, the ideas for repertoire were whittled down to a digital album’s worth. On a warm late-June morning, the “Silver Dime Jazz Trio” gathered at Artisound Studios in New Orleans. With all three musicians suggesting routines and tempos and the steady hand of engineer Tim Stambaugh on the controls, the session progressed smoothly and was wrapped up by early afternoon.

We hope you enjoy this tribute to the great Bunk Johnson, Don Ewell and Alphonse Steele, with our own “fancy variations.” -- Hal Smith

Note: Bunk Johnson referred to his most ornate trumpet improvisations as “fancy variations.”