Stagger Lee

Monty Sunshine, an English jazz clarinettist prominent during the traditional jazz revival of the 1950s and 1960s, recorded multiple renditions of "Stagger Lee" with his ensemble, Monty Sunshine's Jazz Band. These interpretations are featured under titles such as "Old Stag-O-Lee Blues" and "Old Stang-O-Lee."

One version, listed as "Old Stang-O-Lee", is found on the 1980 album Little Liza Jane. This rendition reflects the band's commitment to the Dixieland jazz style, blending lively rhythms with expressive clarinet melodies. The album features a collection of traditional jazz pieces, including "South," "Cake Walkin' Babies," and "Ace In The Hole."

Another notable recording, titled "Old Stag-O-Lee Blues", appears on the 1996 album Just a Little While to Stay Here. This track showcases Sunshine's clarinet proficiency, particularly in the lower registers, and incorporates elements of syncopation characteristic of traditional jazz. The album also includes other jazz standards like "Ole Miss Rag" and "My Old Kentucky Home."

Additionally, Monty Sunshine collaborated with blues pianist Champion Jack Dupree on the track "Stag-O-Lee Blues", featured on the album Champion Jack Dupree Meets Monty Sunshine's Jazz Band. This collaboration merges Dupree's blues influence with Sunshine's jazz expertise, offering a unique interpretation.

These recordings exemplify Monty Sunshine's dedication to preserving and interpreting traditional jazz and blues repertoire, contributing to the enduring legacy of the "Stagger Lee" story in jazz history.