Born in remote Utah in 1905, trumpeter and cornetist Red Nichols became one of the most successful bandleaders in jazz during the 1920s and ’30s, recording prolifically with a huge variety of small bands and early swing orchestras.

With his primary band The Five Pennies (there were often many more than five), he composed some of the most important and memorable tunes and made some of the most important recordings of the era.

This 93-track set comprises recordings which were released on Brunswick under the name of Red Nichols & The Five Pennies during the band’s classic era, along with other recordings done by similar line-ups led by Nichols under the name of The Charleston Chasers for Columbia, presented in chronological order of their recording.

The varying line-ups of The Five Pennies helped provide early opportunities for some of the genre’s future big names, including Jimmy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Eddie Lang, Joe Venuti, Miff Mole, Adrian Rollini, Jack Teagarden and Gene Krupa.

It’s a substantial overview of the output of the Five Pennies which captures the vibrant and innovative spirit of the early jazz era.

REVIEWS

Acrobat's 93-track compilation of Nichols sides recorded for Brunswick as the Five Pennies and as the Charleston Chasers for Columbia is culled from an immensely prolific period for the Utah-born cornetist… A determined if strait-laced improviser whose talent, energy and organising skills placed him at the centre of things in 1920s New York and beyond, it's good to be reminded of Nichols' worth and his still influential amalgam of hot dance music and jazz. - Peter Vacher (Jazzwise Issue 264)

This thoughtfully compiled four-CD set from Acrobat is a superb, slimmed-down collection that offers a great overview of Nichols’ work for Brunswick in his musical heyday… Uncluttered by redundant alternate takes, this is a wonderful document of Nichols' ensemble work over the specified period. It is immaculately presented with a fully annotated discography and a detailed biography. Highly recommended. - Jeremy Isaac (Jazz Journal June 2021)

Mention must be made of the extremely well remastered tracks here for Acrobat (unfortunately, no name to give credit). It also has extensive sleevenotes by Paul Watts. - Pete Lay (Just Jazz Issue 279)

Red Nichols was one of the finest cornet players to emerge during the 1920s. During 1926-32, the period covered by this splendid collection from Acrobat, Nichols made numerous wonderful recording with the Five Pennies and its off-shoots.We begin to appreciate something of his creative energy and ability to put bands together and arrange, organise and inspire some of the greatest recordings ever made. It is safe to say we have the best of glorious oeuvre on this 93-tack, 4CD collection. Classic tracks, beautiful tuens abound, heat is generated, the mood is vibrant. It's the quintessential Jazz Age. - Andrew Liddle (Jazz Rag Issue 166)