Chicago Breakdown

An excellent band consisting of Earl Hines and Louis Armstrong playing Jelly Roll Morton's "Chicago Breakdown." The two seem to push each other to greater heights, perhaps a glimpse of the best of 1920s jazz in Chicago. 

Saint Louis Blues Louis Style

A definitive take on W.C. Handy's classic, "Saint Louis Blues." Handy's use of the habanera rhythm illustrates how "Latin" music has been part of the jazz repertoire for over 100 years, and part of the reason why I annoyed by the ways in which some define "Latin Jazz" as a genre or sub-genre of jazz. Moreover, Armstrong's honking orchestra did in the 1920s what came to define early R&B so well with artists like Louis Jordan.

Se Acaso Você Chegasse

"Se Acaso Você Chegasse," when Elza Soares was in her early prime. Although she is legendary and has remained relevant to Brazilian popular music, her early sound is what I prefer. She's jazzier, scats (hence the Louis Armstrong comparison, and the shared raspiness), features a big bang sound that recalls samba's origins in the large processions and public revelry, and her ostentatious display and style forces one to include Afro-Brazilians. Indeed, entitling one of her early albums A Bossa Negra was a startling find (to me, at least), but perhaps that was more due to how white record labels marketed her. Regardless, she's an amazing singer. Check out her version of "Marambaia" and "O Gato" for more examples.