If a band has the word "stompers" in its name, one can usually assume that there is some type of 1920s/1930s influence involved -- and in the case of , there is indeed a strong '20s/'30s influence. Illinois clarinetist specializes in jazz of the pre-bebop variety, and there isn't a trace of bop to be found on . This 66-minute CD was recorded in 2009, but musically, 's inspiration comes from the types of jazz that were popular during Prohibition and the Great Depression. And while Dixieland is part of the equation on , it would be a mistake to think of this album as strictly Dixieland -- actually, most of the performances fall into the classic jazz/early swing category. What is classic jazz? It's the jazz that came before the swing era (roughly 1935-1945) but after Dixieland; the music that , , and (just to give a handful of examples) were playing in the late '20s/early '30s was classic jazz, which was essentially an early form of swing. And throughout the album, and his (trombonist , guitarist , bassist , and drummer ) are adamantly committed to a pre- aesthetic. Nothing groundbreaking occurs, but the performances are consistently enjoyable whether is embracing 's or Although isn't a major name on the Dixieland/classic jazz circuit, demonstrates that his playing is certainly worth getting to know. ~ Alex Henderson