Natty Dominique

Known for his unpredictable trumpet work, Natty Dominique reached peak form during the 1920s on pieces such as “Brush Stomp” and “Oriental Man,” where his rhythmic phrasing combined drive with strong appeal. At other moments, including “Tack ’Em Down,” that same eagerness could overwhelm his control. As a teenager he performed in New Orleans brass bands, departed the city in 1913, and took freelance jobs across Chicago and the Midwest. In 1923 he recorded alongside Jelly Roll Morton and later worked with Carroll Dickerson and Jimmie Noone, yet his most lasting connection came through frequent sessions with Johnny Dodds. After taking part in Dodds’ last recordings in 1940, a heart ailment prompted retirement and a job as an airport porter, though by the early 1950s he resumed playing on a limited schedule, frequently alongside Baby Dodds.