Drummer Monk Hazel gazes forlornly from the cover of this reissue, pants hiked up to his dadderies, with a luscious silk tie. The sepia-toned photo emphasizes the long-ago vibe.

In 2009 New Orleans, the steadily-working seven-piece Dixieland band such as Monk’s is extinct. No place can afford it, and trad jazz lovers are scratching their heads wondering how this was allowed to happen. Even if the gig was available, it would take some work to field a band as good as this one. Hazel is the leader, but the lead voice is Al Hirt, in his first traditional jazz recording, from 1955. Hirt waited until his 30s to wax some trad, but when the time arrived, he was ready. He roars like a bull moose here. Pete Fountain and trombonist Jack Delaney sound terrific, too. The ODJB’s Harry Shields and some bandmates brighten additional sessions from l957 to round out the album. What a treat to hear these groups, with their niceties like key changes, dynamics and carefully worked-out ensemble playing, and how bittersweet to think you could have seen many such groups on Bourbon Street at one time.