An erratic trumpeter, Natty Dominique was at his best in the 1920s (such as on "Brush Stomp" and "Oriental Man") and played in an appealing rhythmic style with plenty of force. However, there were also times ("Tack 'Em Down") when his enthusiasm got the best of him. He played in brass bands as a teenager in New Orleans, left town in 1913, and freelanced in Chicago and the Midwest. Dominique recorded with Jelly Roll Morton in 1923 and played with Carroll Dickerson and Jimmie Noone, but he is best-remembered for his association with Johnny Dodds; they recorded together frequently. After appearing on Dodds' final records in 1940, Dominique's heart condition forced him to retire and he worked as an airport porter, but in the early '50s he started playing again on a part-time basis, often using Baby Dodds. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi
