The Quiet One

Columbus music and culture

Rusty Bryant Plays Jazz

The artistic leap from Rusty Bryant’s first album, 1956’s America’s Greatest Jazz, to his second, 1958’s Rusty Bryant Plays Jazz, is startling. Considering that America’s Greatest Jazz was a compilation of Rusty’s earlier Dot singles puts it in context, though. The August 1957 sessions that comprise Rusty Bryant Plays Jazz are his first true artistic statement. Or, as Rusty himself put it, “This is the music I’ve always wanted to play.” His first release without The Carolyn C

Drew Layman

Oct 30, 20214 min read

Rusty Bryant And The Carolyn Club Band – America's Greatest Jazz

In 1956, Elvis had the number 1 song with Heartbreak Hotel and Columbus was a very different place from today. Saxophonist Rusty Bryant managed to break through with a poppy brand of jazzy R&B and rock and roll. Ohio State’s student newspaper, The Lantern, wrote that Bryant was largely responsible for the “current rock and roll craze” gripping the city. Maybe a little ironic, then, that a collection of his early singles would be released as America’s Greatest Jazz. Overseas,

Drew Layman

Mar 26, 20213 min read

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