This profile of clarinettist Edmond Hall (1901-1967) – one of the greatest of the New Orleans jazz giants – makes a superb addition to the Retrospective jazz list. Hall’s individual style was instantly recognizable, with its broad, fast vibrato. His was hot, fiery music, full of drive and biting attack – yet he possessed a wonderful feeling for the blues.

Profoundly Blue presents a portrait of Edmond Hall’s best work during his prime years, from 1937 to 1944. The title track is one of the altogether remarkable performances of his 1941 Celeste Quartet with Meade Lux Lewis and Charlie Christian (Jammin’ In Four). He is then heard with bands led by Billie Holiday (Me, Myself and I), Lionel Hampton (My Buddy), Red Allen (Down In Jungle Town), Zutty Singleton (King Porter Stomp) and Coleman Hawkins with Art Tatum (Esquire Blues).

A dozen tracks emanate from the great sessions Edmond Hall had leading his own groups in 1943 and 1944: his Blue Note Jazz Men with Vic Dickenson and James P. Johnson (High Society), his Sextet with Emmett Berry (The Man I Love), his All Star Quintet with Red Norvo (Rompin’ in ’44), his Swingtet with the great baritone sax of Harry Carney (It’s Been So Long) and finally his Quartet with the elegant Teddy Wilson (Caravan). Benny Goodman himself was once quoted as saying: “For jazz clarinet give me Ed Hall – his feel for hot music is perfect!”

Track list:
Edmond Hall & his Celeste Quartet:
1. Edmond Hall Blues
2. Jammin’ In Four
3. Profoundly Blue
Billie Holiday & her Orchestra:
4. Me, Myself and I
Lionel Hampton & his Orchestra:
5. My Buddy
Henry “Red” Allen & his Orchestra:
6. Down In Jungle Town
7. Canal Street Blues
Zutty Singleton & his Orchestra:
8. King Porter Stomp
9. Shim-Me-Sha-Wabble
Edmond Hall & his Blue Note Jazz Men:
10. High Society
11. Night Shift Blues
Coleman Hawkins & The Leonard Feather All Stars:
12. Esquire Blues
Edmond Hall & his Sextet:
13. The Man I Love
14. Downtown Café Boogie
Edmond Hall & his All Star Quintet:
15. Rompin’ In ’44
16. Smooth Sailing
Edmond Hall & his Swingtet:
17. It’s Been So Long
18. Big City Blues
Edmond Hall & his Quartet:
19. Sleepy Time Gal
20. It Had To Be You
21. Caravan
22. Show Piece