Sayles' Silver Leaf Ragtimers - Sayles' Silver Leaf Ragtimers (1995)

One of the finest recordings of classic New Orleans jazz from the early 1960s. Although the recording came during an era when jazz was moving toward bebop, cool jazz, and the avant-garde, the musicians consciously remain true to its archaic sound. The recording was made under the direction of the superb banjoist Emanuel Sayles, one of the most respected veterans of the New Orleans scene, who gathered around him its veterans. The lineup is impressive. On trumpet is Kid Howard, whose dense and slightly rough sound is ideal for this repertoire. Clarinetist George Lewis carries the melody easily and freely, and trombonist Jim Robinson adds characteristic "conversational" counterpoints. Emanuel Sayles himself does not attempt to dominate—his banjo creates a dense rhythmic foundation, thanks to which the ensemble sounds remarkably cohesive. The rhythm section, featuring Papa John Joseph and Joe Watkins, works flawlessly, maintaining a traditional collective swing. The program consists of time-tested standards of New Orleans jazz and early ragtime. Each piece is performed with the characteristically collective style of New Orleans jazz. There's no sense of studio polish—the listener finds themselves in a small club or a home jam session.
While the record isn't among the most famous traditional jazz releases, it is considered a true classic among fans of the New Orleans school.