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Haunting Blues

McMurray's California Thumpers

George Crozier, Joseph Colling, Loren McMurray, Matt Grogan, Thomas Swift, W E Jack Frost

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This recording was produced in New York City on June 8th 1922 featuring Joseph Colling trumpet, George Crozier trombone, Loren McMurray alto sax, Thomas Swift piano, Matt Grogan banjo, and W E "Jack" Frost bass sax.

*"Haunting Blues" was written by Walter Hirsch and Henry Busse.

The "California Thumpers" were a contingent of "Eddie Elkins' Orchestra", led by Loren McMurray.

Among the most underrated of early Jazz saxophone pioneers is Loren McMurray. Originally from Kansas City his travels as a musician landed him in New York where he performed at Pavillon Royal in Long Island with "Eddie Elkins' Orchestra" and appeared on numerous recordings. His innovations on the saxophone are very sophisticated for 1922 and an important link in the evolution of the instrument's every changing role in Jazz. Loren died suddenly from blood poisoning brought on by a sinus infection in the early morning hours of October 29th 1922 nine days after initially feeling ill, a tragic victim of the inferior medical treatment of pre-penicillin days.