New Orleans Jazz – News and Views – Elmer ‘Coo Coo’ Talbert
Elmer Talbert “Coo Coo”
Born New Orleans August 8 1900 – died New Orleans December 13 1950.
What follows is a pretty temporary resume of Elmer Talbert’s career with thanks to “New Orleans Jazz – A Spouse and children Album by Dr. Edmond Souchon and Al Rose (Louisiana College Push)
In 1929 he was with the Arnold Depass Dance Orchestra. He experienced lessons from Child Rena and occasionally worked with Rena’s Bass Band, and with Paul Barnes. He was, like lots of other musicians in New Orleans, a aspect-time musician and attained a living doing the job in a laundry. In 1947 he experienced a stroke but recovered well.
Concerning 1947 and his premature loss of life from another stroke in late 1950, he made some remarkable recordings all with the George Lewis Band. On November 23 1949 a bash was held at 1111 Bourbon St. by jazz enthusiast Herb Otto. The comprehensive George Lewis Band was there, with other musicians and jazz buffs current. Herb Otto and his pal Bob Greenwood both of those had recording machines and considerably of the music was taped. On the American Tunes Label AMCD 74 “The George Lewis Band at Herb Otto’s occasion 1949” you can listen to the end result. Not hi fidelity but the songs shines by means of, it is incredibly sizzling, and our first probability to hear “Coo Coo” Elmer Talbert.
In Could 1950 Dr. Edmond Souchon organized a recording of the George Lewis Band on behalf of the New Orleans Jazz Club. The comprehending was that if Dr. Souchon could market the history, George and the band would get the money. The recording took place at Filiberto’s Music Retailer on Barracks Avenue. A sizzling and sultry New Orleans working day chilly drinking water, soda, beer and good stuff was available with heaps of ice. Bandleader George retained stringent control of the beverages, and the resulting new music is arguably one the good vintage classes of jazz in any type. It is yours to hear to on “George Lewis Jam Session” on AMCD 104. The full band is of class excellent but Elmer Talbert’s trumpet and his incredible vocal on ” 2.19 Blues” and “Pallet On The Ground” are Desert Island Discs for me!
Only weeks later on June 5 1950, the George Lewis Band with “Coo Coo” on trumpet designed 4 tracks for the “Good Time Jazz” label. This was recorded in New Orleans and supervised by Jack Lewerke. In my feeling, this is some of the finest top quality with regard to the audio and balance of the George Lewis Band. I suppose there is a diploma of particular bias below since this model of “Burgundy Road Blues” was played at my marriage ceremony to Diana Clark at the Ritz Carlton Lodge in New Orleans. The CD is on the Excellent Time Jazz L12005. GTCD 12005-2.
And lastly, on Jazz Crusade JCCD 3054 an air shot recording of the George Lewis Band with Elmer Talbert. This was a Dixieland Clambake programme in New Orleans in September and Oct 1950. Some excellent George Lewis and Jim Robinson here and sadly our very last chance to listen to Elmer on trumpet.