Monk Hazel stood out as an accomplished drummer who also stepped forward at times to solo on brass instruments, remaining a constant presence on the New Orleans scene for many decades. His father worked as a drummer, and Hazel began by playing drums alongside the celebrated Emmett Hardy, the source of his first cornet. Across the 1920s he appeared with numerous groups, among them Abbie Brunies’ Halfway House Orchestra, Tony Parenti’s band—in whose company he recorded during 1925—and Johnny Wiggs’ ensemble. In 1928 he fronted his own Bienville Roof Orchestra before moving to New York, where he performed with Johnny Wiggs, Jack Pettis, and his own unit from 1929 to 1931. Hazel spent a stretch in Hollywood with Gene Austin, after which he returned to New Orleans and worked with Joe Caprano in 1937 and the Lloyd Danton Quintet. He served in the Army from 1942 to 1943, then took employment outside music for a time. In his final two decades, however, Hazel again became highly active in New Orleans, appearing with Sharkey Bonano, George Girard, Mike Lala, Santa Pecora, and virtually every other leading figure in the city’s jazz world. As a leader Monk Hazel cut four titles in 1928 and a full album for Storyville in 1954, with Pete Fountain and Al Hirt among the sidemen on the later date.
