Search - Valaida Snow :: Valaida, Vol. 2: 1935-1940

Lady Plays The Blues

wwI maven | asheville, nc United States | 12/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a traditional jazz fan, I am seldom surprised by a great performance from someone I have never heard from. Here was a performer that had stayed below my radar screen..to my detriment.

Valaida Snow, a female singer, and more importantly a great trumpet player, from the 30's and 40's,is well worth getting acquainted with.

She plays in a style obviously influenced by Louis Armstrong, with strong hints of Bunny Berigan...(who was, like all jazz trumpet players, heavily influenced by Armstrong).

The recordings are a rare instance of finding a treasure trove of great songs played in an authentic way that takes us back to the era where jazz was more felt than cerebral.

Listen to "Some of These Days", "Tiger Rag","St Louis Blues", countered with "Poor Butterfly", "Chloe","My Heart Belongs to Daddy", and you will find yourself hearing something "fresh"....only because we somehow "missed" this special performer who plays from the heart."

Timeless entertainment

Thomas J. Welch | Ontario Canada | 10/07/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This artist and her music are fantastic. I can't believe she recorded this in the thirty's.It's timeless ."