00:15 Allison Miner introduces Wallace Davenport. WD started his own record label “My Jazz” and also tried to save music on Bourbon Street. Discusses bad musicians. Started playing the trumpet when he was seven years old. He listened to Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, and Fletcher Henderson as a boy. Tells stories about being young and telling his mother he wanted to play music. 03:45 Davenport grew up on First Street between Loyal & Liberty. He went to school at Macdonald 36. He was playing dances when he was 12 and playing professionally when he was 13. He played a lot in the church as well (St. John #4). Buddy Bolden attended that church. WD played in the Tuxedo Brass Band. He played with many different bands and would follow the money. He volunteered for the Navy and joined the Navy band. He went in 1942 – 1945. When he left the Navy he went to Booker T Washington High School and finished. 07:20 Davenport discusses his time working with Lionel Hampton. He began playing with him in 1953. He played with Quincy Jones and Art Farmer at this time. He traveled with Lionel Hampton, Lloyd Price, Count Basie, and Ray Charles over the years. He talked about getting paid. Talks about working and living in New Orleans. He talks about teaching Ellis Marsalis as a boy. 11:00 Miner asks about Hugues Panassié – a supporter of Jazz in France. They play a song called “ Bouncin’ for Panassie “ that WD wrote for HP. They play the song. That came from a 1975 Earl Hines album. 14:25 WD talks about working at the Paddock on Bourbon Street. They discuss WD’s range and practicing habits. They then play “The Sheik of Araby” 20:00 They talk about a high note – the double high C – that he plays during that last song. WD discusses moving back to New Orleans fulltime. They discuss traveling to Europe and Gospel songs. WD plays with the Zion Harmonizers. He also plays with the Wallace Davenport Gospel sings. Miner plays a recorded version of “He’ll Understand”. 26:40 Davenport says that “He’ll Understand” is his favorite church hymn. He then talks about starting to sing. Discusses “The Trumpet Choir” where all the trumpet players played, but sang a chorus in between. He talks about upcoming projects with singing and rapping. He talks about his current band. Punch Miller is mentioned. Miner plays “Jazz Me Blues”. 35:00 Davenport talks about the young brass bands in New Orleans and the state of the New Orleans musician industry. States the difference between playing jazz and copying jazz. He currently plays at the Maison Bourbon. He plays 5 hours a night, four days a week. He was born June 30th, 1925. Davenport’s mother played the piano in church. The interview concludes.
