Trombonist Charlie Halloran may be the hardest working horn player in the city of New Orleans. He plays with nearly everyone on the local scene including the Panorama Jazz Band, Meschiya Lake, and the Shotgun Jazz Band. He has toured the world with the Squirrel Nut Zippers, not to mention recording with U2 and Rickie Lee Jones.

But when left to his own devices, he seems to prefer exploring all the permutations of genres where the trombone is central to the sound, going back to the turn of the last century. He has played and recorded choros from Brazil and beguines from Martinique. His last record, Ce Biguine!, was actually pressed straight to 78 r.p.m. acetate disc to recreate the sound when the style was first recorded.

His latest, Shake the Rum, which was released at the beginning of the pandemic and got lost in the existential shuffle we all have been living through, explores early calypso sounds from Trinidad in the 1950s. The classic sounds are the perfect antidote to the malaise of the times in which we live.

Halloran’s band, the Tropicales, brings the tropics to life. The rhythm section of bassist Pete Olynciw, drummer Doug Garrison and percussionist Cesar Bacaro provide a laidback groove for the soloists to find the sweet spot on every tune.

Though the album is mostly instrumental, the four songs with vocalists—two from Zippers’ frontman Jimbo Mathus and one each from St. Louis Slim and John Boutté—expand the vision to encompass the double entendres that are central to calypso.

Though using the word “rip” to describe a trombone solo—rooted in the early part of the 20th century—might easily be considered anachronistic, Halloran does indeed rip on every song.

This fine album is well worth seeking out. Also, look for Charlie Halloran and the Tropicales on a stage around town. They are even more fun live.