Born in El Paso and raised in Los Angeles,
James A. Wynn claimed to have been the very first West Coast saxophonist to perform while laying on his back, insisting that
Jay McNeely saw the act as a youngster and later copied the "clowning" in order to attract attention. While gigging in Watts, young
Wynn befriended dancer, vocalist, and guitarist
T-Bone Walker. Their friendship lasted for years and
Wynn shows up from time to time in the
T-Bone Walker discography. This compilation documents
Jim Wynn's first year as a professional recording artist, tracing a trail of 4 Star and Gilt Edge recordings and finishing off with four sides waxed for the Modern label in 1946.
Big Jim Wynn's Bobalibans were named after "Ee-Bobaliba," a
novelty jump tune written by
Wynn but first recorded by
Helen Humes.
Wynn's own version is heard here with a vocal by
r&b legend
Claude Trenier, a veteran of
the Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra. Other singers employed by
Wynn included pianist and smooth crooner
"Lord" Luther Ruper and rowdy
blues and jive man
Pee Wee Wiley. Upright bassist
Ted Shirley was also a throaty
blues shouter who carries on crustily in a manner similar to
Pleasant Joseph on "Get Yourself in Line." Nestled in among all of these pungent vocals, the three instrumental tracks feel particularly fresh and frolicsome. "Winnin' with Wynn" delivers a good taste of West Coast
bop. "Wynn's Boogie" rocks a lot like
the Roy Eldridge Orchestra and "Organ Grinder Swing" settles in like a visitation from
Jimmie Lunceford. ~ arwulf arwulf, All Music Guide
