This was the 4th talk show on Classic Jazz Talk and it featured jazz historian and author Cary Ginell. It was an interview that almost didn’t take place. I was basically hampered without a co-host to assist in the questioning process and fill in the gaps that naturally take place when interviewing someone live. I was prepared with a list of questions but that doesn’t cut it, the interview takes unexpected turns and the interviewer has to make adjustments. It takes plenty of experience and many hours interviewing guests to master this. I have done interviews before but nothing at all close to conducting one by my lonesome self. I mentioned this to Cary ahead of time in case he would choose to cancel and he reassured me that everything would be alright, the show must go on! He could have simply told me that he wasn’t comfortable doing an interview in this manner but he instead offered his TOTAL support. Another words, he offered to be the guest and help me conduct the interview like he was a co-host also. Well thanks to Mr. Ginell and the great job of being my “wing man,” this interview was a great success. Cary has done so much for Jazz Music with all the projects he has lead and been part of. I’m so honored to have the opportunity to interview him, this experience was truly an educational one for me and you will fully understand after listening to it, enjoy!
Origin Jazz Library was founded in 1960 by Bill Givens (photo at left) and Pete Whelan, two friends who had gone to boarding school together at Soleburh School in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Their idea was to reissue classic blues recordings of the 1920s and 1930s, which at that time were generally not considered to be of interest, even to those whose primary interest was roots music of that period. The first issue was “The Immortal Charlie Patton,” which was received with considerable interest by the emerging “folk revival” community.
The label soon established itself as the vanguard of a host of independent labels which helped bring about the traditional blues revival of the 1960s, and added immensely to the body of influences which helped shape rock music. In 1967, Whelan turned over his share of the company to Bill Givens, who continued to put out new releases through the late 1960s, and well into the 1970s, by which time many other labels, such as Yazoo, had reissued the bulk of the worthwhile pre-WWII blues material, so the flow of new OJL issues slowed to a trickle. By the mid-90s, despite most of the tracks Bill issued being available…..Learn More
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All books by Cary Ginell are located here
