The Garden of Joy, a traditional jazz band led by banjoist, guitarist and vocalist Hunter Bergamy, recently released their debut album. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Bergamy has been featured in OffBeat for his work with Fritzel’s Jazz Pub’s releases and recordings by the Secret Six.

A graduate of NOCCA and the Berklee College of Music, Bergamy surrounds himself with a stellar cast of musicians on Bouncin’ Around, including familiar names on the tight-knit New Orleans neo-trad scene including trombonist Colin Myers and clarinetist/saxophonist Jory Woodis.

Given the plethora of new trad jazz albums appearing lately, this one stands out because several of the songs date back even further than other contemporary releases, including “In the Gloaming,” which was written in 1877—long before jazz even existed. On the cut, Bergamy’s voice yearns with pathos as trumpeter Zach Lange and Myers flirt with the melody, although a brief chuckle at the end indicates he isn’t taking the old poetic lyrics completely seriously.

The album showcases Bergamy’s tasty string skills and the fabulous washboard work of Dizzy Incirlioglu. On “Sugar Blues,” a tune that dates to 1919, he reaches deep into the heartache well to emote on the blues of the turn of the last century. He comps on the banjo, while the horns sound uncannily like a section from the earliest jazz records.

Bouncin’ Around has plenty of sublime instrumental work. Matt Andrew adds a wistful violin sound on four cuts. His intro on “Purple Rose of Cairo” leads into a wonderful clarinet part by Woodis. Bergamy’s single note solo is a thing of grace.

There are also moments of intense virtuosity, especially on the 1909 instrumental “Wait ‘Til the Sun Shines Nellie.” This duet between Bergamy on banjo and Incirlioglu on washboard, with Norbert Farkas on bass, positively rips. Like the rest of this album, I can’t wait to hear it live.