This a quite an unusual and interesting work, a zarzuela (a term used for a typically Spanish light oper(ett)a or revue style). Manuel Penella Moreno (1880-1939) was a prolific composer of stage works (operas, zarzuelas, revues) and songs. His best-known works are the operas "El gato montés" and "Don Gil de Alcalá". "Jazz Band", composed in 1933, was of course written for dance band instead of a symphonic orchestra. Again it was practically impossible to find pictures to illustrate this great music, but I trust the sound recording, made the same year as the premiere is largely interesting enough to speak for themselves. In this video I included a couple of photographs of baritone Marcos Redondo. The recording features the Orquesta Crazy Boys. This very fine band, founded and led by pianist Martín de la Rosa was active in Spain during the 30's and 40's. Marcos Redondo was an outstanding, and in his day (the 20's-30's) extremely popular zarzuela interpret. Although his singing career started in 1919 in Madrid with a performance of Verdi's "La Traviata" and continued performing till about 1970, the zarzuela was his main repertoire, including a staggering number of one hundred zarzuelas! About Gijón born comical soprano Trini Avelli, I sadly couldn't find any further information.
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