The pianist Steve Pistorius, a New Orleans native, is an encyclopedia of early New Orleans jazz. He knows the works of the obvious masters—Morton, Armstrong, Bechet—inside out, but also delves into some delightful corners where few venture. As the liner notes put it, “irresistible ancient pop songs and vaudeville trifles.”

It is Steve’s mission, as proselytizer for this music, to avoid the “Dixieland Top 40,” to provide well-played, heartfelt programs by the best musicians available. And so he has on his latest, Under the Creole Moon. He starts with the rhythm section by using Hal Smith, veteran of a hundred sessions and possibly the best Pre-WW2 era drummer around. Bassist Jim Singleton, a player who can stretch to the 22nd century, rocks it hard, and contributes some nice bowed solos along the way.

The freakishly gifted reedman James Evans, and clarinetist Orange Kellin, a student of New Orleans jazz since the 1960s, continue the magical synergy that made Steve’s last album, New Orleans Shuffle, such a great listen. David Sager, long in exile in Washington D.C., plays just the right trombone tones. He and Evans provide some deliciously fey vocals, the latter particularly on “Solamente Una Vez,” a Mexican bolero that’s been covered by Nat King Cole and Andrea Bocelli.

Pistorius solos here and there, but seems content to let others get the glory. This is a rare quality in a bandleader and a fine one to hear on a record.