At the Jazz Band Ball: Vol. 2;

Working as a featured soloist with Paul Whiteman's orchestra, cornetist Bix Beiderbecke still found opportunities to play in small jazz groups, where his creativity could range freely. This music comes from a six-month period between October 1927 and April 1928 and spotlights sessions led by both Bix and his frequent musical partner, saxophonist Frank Trumbauer. The earliest session features the Chicago Loopers, with Beiderbecke and Trumbauer heard to best advantage on the two takes of "Three Blind Mice." Six tunes by Bix Beiderbecke and his Gang represent the musical highpoint here, with Beiderbecke creating spontaneous lines that have the mark of great composition. He's in good company, as well, with frequent outbursts from Adrian Rollini on bass saxophone, an unlikely soloist but one who played his unwieldy instrument with enthusiasm and precision. There are also several tracks recorded under Trumbauer's name, some of which tend to the sentimental popular music of the day. But the music leaps to life whenever Beiderbecke's cornet, Trumbauer's saxophone, or Joe Venuti's violin comes to the fore. On "Cryin' All Day," one of the Trumbauer band's more spirited jazz numbers, Bix is adding fresh details to the out-chorus that still have the capacity to surprise. --Stuart Broomer