b.
Milton "Mezz" Mesirow, 9 November 1899, Chicago, Illinois, USA, d. 5 August 1972, Paris, France. Today he is
remembered for three
things: his
autobiography "Really the
Blues", his
clarinet playing and dealing
marijuana. He completely rejected white society and embraced the African-American
culture to the extent that he
believed he was black (legend has it that he even asked to be put in a
negro ward in
prison).
In the 1920s he became part of the White Chicago jazz scene, playing with various artists such as the Austin High Gang, the Jungle Kings and the Chicago Rhythm Kings. He eventually left Chicago in 1927 and went to New York to play with Eddie Condon. He led a few dates with his band The Disciples of Swing until setting up his own King Jazz label in the mid-late 40s.
Discography:
Mezz Mezzrow And His Band (Blue Note 1952)
Lionel Hampton The Hamp In Paris (Felsted 1953),
Mezz Mezzrow's Swing Session (XLVA 1954),
Mezz Mezzrow (XLVA1954),
Mezzin Around (RCAVictor 1954),
Lee Collins Clarinet Marmalade (1955),
Paris 1955, Vol. 1 (Swing 1955),
A La Schola Cantorum (London 1956)