The Christie Brothers Stompers, although they are now somewhat forgotten, were one of the most important British New Orleans-style jazz groups of the 1950s. They recorded several years before England’s trad boom. A group of musicians from Crane River and Humphrey Lyttelton Bands recorded under Christie Brothers’ name for Esquire in 1951. The records were so popular that Keith Christie and Ian Christie decided to start their own regular band with Ken Colyer as cornet (in 1952, Dick Hawdon replaced him) and a rhythm section which included Pat Hawes. The band’s Melodisc recordings, which date from August 1951 to august 1953, have been reissued by British Cadillac on CD. They display the passion and power of the great band. The Christie Brothers Stompers were most influenced by Bunk Johnson and Kid Ory, but they also listened to the music of King Oliver, Jellyroll Morton and Louis Armstrong. They managed to create their own unique sound and style without copying any of their predecessors. Keith Christie modernized his sound after the band disbanded in 1953. The group was quickly forgotten, with the exception of a four-song reunion session in 1958. Allmusic
