"Steppin' Out" - Original Memphis Five (1923)

Here's a peppy pop tune by Original Memphis Five, who prolifically recorded hundreds of jazzy sides in the 1920s.

In 2016 there was an active project to digitally transfer the complete OM5 oeuvre onto one massive CD set. Unfortunately, after making much headway (the complete set reportedly filled 28 CDs), the project was abandoned in 2022 when the project's producer stopped making payments to the audio engineers producing the digital transfers. The ensuing dispute has sadly ensured that all of the hard work that had been done on this monumental project will never be heard by fans.

But 28 CDs, tho! That gives you an idea of the scope of OM5's recording career! So here's a tiny fraction of that: from a late 1923 recording session we have OM5's take on "Steppin' Out", a tune by Con Conrad and John Howard.

Recorded in New York City on December 7, 1923.
Released as Banner 1296.
Also released domestically as Regal 9588, Bell P-262.

Credits:
Phil Napoleon - trumpet
Miff Mole - trombone
Jimmy Lytell - clarinet
Frank Signorelli - piano
Jack Roth - drums

Sources:
Lost Chords, Richard Sudhalter, p.106-109
Jazz and Ragtime Records (1897-1942), Brian Rust, 6th Ed.