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Ragtime, New Orleans Style Vol. 3

by Andrew Oliver

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1.
Freckles Rag 03:56
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Sunburst Rag 03:18
8.
9.
10.
Harlem Rag 02:47
11.
12.

about

When Jelly Roll Morton described the origin of “Tiger Rag” to Alan Lomax in 1938, he said “It happened to be transformed by your performer...” On this album, the brilliant pianist Andrew Oliver has transformed several Ragtime compositions into the Morton style.

This album is the latest in the series of “New Orleans Ragtime,” following two previous recordings by the outstanding pianist Kris Tokarski (“Classic Rags - New Orleans Style” on SOLO ART and “Ragtime New Orleans Style” on the BIG AL label). All the performances are inspired by Jelly Roll Morton’s
correspondence with Roy Carew, regarding the possibility of Morton making solo records of Rags by Scott Joplin, James Scott, Tom Turpin and other Ragtime greats. Sadly, the only Rag Morton managed to record was Joplin’s “Original Rags” — for COMMODORE, in 1939.

Andrew’s lively, rhythmic touch on the keyboard recalls the exhilarating sound of Jelly Roll Morton on that COMMODORE session. Devotees of Morton’s music will no doubt recognize the characteristic phrases and syncopations of the master, played with plenty rhythm and plenty swing. And note the well-placed references to Morton’s own numbers, such as “Freakish,” “Big Fat Ham” and “Mamanita.” In Andrew’s skillful hands, they are logical additions to the original compositions.

After hearing Andrew play “Scott Joplin’s Rag Time Dance,” I am reminded of the story about Jelly Roll Morton playing one of his own Ragtime compositions for a friend -- who remarked “That was good, Jelly.” Morton replied “Good? Hell – that’s PERFECT!” Andrew Oliver’s transformations of these first-class Ragtime compositions are PERFECT!

Hal Smith
Musician – Jazz Historian - Writer
www.halsmithmusic.com

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The twelve rags presented here represent a cross-section of composers ranging from the famous ragtime pioneers Scott Joplin, James Scott and Joseph Lamb to little-known New Orleans figures such as Irwin Leclere and the creole composer Larry Buck (actual name Laurent DuBuclet). I used many of Morton's original compositions and stylistic trademarks as inspiration for the arrangements, including some "modernistic" elements in "The Ragtime Dance," shades of "King Porter Stomp" in "Freckles Rag," and the "Bad-Note Bassline" in "Sensation Rag." I reimagined several of the tunes such as "Wall Street Rag" in a "Spanish Tinge" style, without which, as Morton said, "you cannot have jazz!" I also drew stylistic inspiration from other New Orleans pianists and proteges of the Morton style over the years such as Dink Johnson, Frank Melrose, and Don Ewell. Hope you enjoy the music!

Andrew Oliver
www.andrewoliver.net

credits

released November 1, 2022

Andrew Oliver, 1905 Gabler upright piano.

Recorded Aug-Oct 2022 in Portland, OR.

Sound by Andrew Oliver.

Cover Art by Nicholas D. Ball.

Produced by Andrew Oliver and Hal Smith.

Thanks to Hal Smith, Kris Tokarski, Rebecca Sanborn, Immortal Piano, Iris Asher, David Horniblow, Michael McQuaid, and Steph Oliver.

1. Freckles Rag (Larry Buck, 1905)
2. American Beauty Rag (Joseph Lamb, 1905)
3. Wall Street Rag (Scott Joplin, 1909)
4. Sensation Rag (Joseph Lamb, 1908)
5. The Ragtime Dance (Scott Joplin, 1902)
6. Pastime Rag #5 (Artie Matthews, 1918)
7. Sunburst Rag (James Scott, 1909)
8. Triangle Jazz Blues (Irwin Leclere, 1917)
9. Temptation Rag (Henry Lodge, 1909)
10. Harlem Rag (Tom Turpin, 1897)
11. Bunny Hug Rag (George L. Cobb, 1913)
12. That Cosey Rag (Shelton Brooks, 1911)

All compositions public domain.

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Andrew Oliver Portland, Oregon

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