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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZMEZZROW, Mezz(b Milton Mesirow, 9 November 1899, Chicago; d 5 August 1972, Paris) Reeds, especially clarinet. Began on sax while in jail in 1917, turned pro c.1923. Not one of the great musicians but an indefatigable sparkplug and organizer, like Eddie Condon, with whom he often worked; also famous for supplying marijuana, always carrying a shoebox full with him (a marijuana cigarette was a meziroll, or a 'mighty mezz'; cf. Fats Waller's 'The Reefer Song' '43). He played in the Ben Pollock band '28, recorded on C-melody sax with Condon '29; organized recording bands '33 with Teddy Wilson, Benny Carter, Max Kaminsky; '34 with Carter, Kaminsky, Bud Freeman, Willie 'The Lion' Smith, John Kirby, Chick Webb; '36 with Freeman, Smith, Frankie Newton; '37 with Sy Oliver, J. C. Higginbotham; Mezzrow/Ladnier Quintet '38 with Tommy Ladnier. He took part in sessions organized by Hugues Panassié '38. He formed his own record label King Jazz c.1945, recorded himself with Sidney Bechet, Hot Lips Page, Sammy Price on piano, and spent more and more time there. He published a memoir, Really The Blues with Bernard Wolfe '46. His albums included Paris '55 on Swing, with visiting Americans; two volumes of The King Jazz Story with Bechet on Storyville. |