Grégoire Nakchounian Russian North Star Orchestra-Shreveport Stomp

Grégoire Nakchounian played clarinet and saxophone and was probably of Russian/Armenian extraction. "Schreeveport Stomp" (as it is erroneously spelled on the label) is played at a cracking tempo but the complex second theme, which starts in a minor key and resolves to major, is left out. Morton recorded this tune in June 1928. The date and venue for Nakchounian's recording were orginally given in Rust's "Jazz Records 1897-1942" as December 1926 in Berlin, but recent research has suggested April/May 1928 in Leipzig or Berlin. In either case, the Russian North Star Orchestra predates the Morton performance. This most remarkable band mainly comprised French and Belgian musicians: Albert Deveydt Clarinet , Tenor Saxophone; Martin Holsmoortel and/or Louis De Vries, Cornet, Trumpet; Jean Pâques, Piano; Bobby 't Sas, Drums; Edwin Steinbacher, Banjo; JulesTestaert, Trombone; unknown, Violin , Vocals. They were very successful in Holland and France in the early and mid-1920s. In 1927-28 they toured in the Baltic region, Germany and again Holland. It is during their stay in Germany they recorded the sides that would make them famous.