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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 ZSIMEON, Omer(b 21 July 1902, New Orleans LA; d 17 September 1959, NYC) Clarinet; also saxes. He studied with the legendary Lorenzo Tio Jr; the family moved to Chicago in 1914. Of all the clarinet players from the classic New Orleans period, his playing (on records with Jelly Roll Morton '26-8, King Oliver's Dixie Syncopators '27-8) was the most soulful and beautifully liquid. His tone could be acidic as well as mellow, joining in the Chicago spirit; he was a born musician, his solos always beautifully and naturally constructed. He played and recorded with Earl Hines '31-41 (except for brief periods with Fletcher Henderson), Coleman Hawkins '41, Jimmie Lunceford '42-7 (staying with the band under Eddie Wilcox's leadership until '50), Wilbur De Paris '51-7 (the De Paris band and its 'New New Orleans Jazz', with brother Sidney De Paris, was a mainstay at Jimmy Ryan's club in Manhattan in those years). There was also a recording date '44 with Kid Ory, etc. Among Simeon's best sessions were the Morton trio date '28 with Tommy Benford (two takes of 'Shreveport Stomp'), a duet with Hines on 'Beau Koo Jack' '29 and the Carnival Three trio date with James P. Johnson and Pops Foster '45. |