I know nothing about Trad Jazz, and I have been requested a touch of Trad Jazz for a function soon. Can anyone advise some must haves? I guess there's even a The Best Trad Jazz Album In the World EVER series

Look for some compilations with Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone, Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Dizzie Gillespie, Carmen McRae to name just a few.
Is it for background music or for dancing?

Thanks Eskie, I have a good collection of the artists you mention, but is this not mainstream Jazz? I thought trad jazz was the kind of New Orleans type stuff that pickled men in straw hats play at marquee weddings

I expect it will be mainly for background, possibly a dance or two.

Incidentally, the late Ella Fitzgerald is one of my favourite artists of all time - sheer quality

If you mean the British Trad Jazz as seen in old films like "It's Trad, Dad" etc., look for stuff by Ken Colyer, Chris Barber, Humphrey Lyttleton, Kenny Ball, Acker Bilk, Chris Barber, George Chisholm, Mike Cotton ( pre Mike Cotton Sound ), Alex Welsh, George Melly etc.

The CD "Jazz Britannia - The Best of British Trad Jazz" is a starting point and will cost around £9.
The Pye label had a number of trad jazz bands on its books so Castle, who have access to the Pye back catalogue, will probably have some budget price CDs available.

there's a conflict of terms Trad Jazz & Classic

Uum, there appears to be a lot of "modern jazz ( blues jazz) and some swing" in that lot. OK Trad Jazz has it's cross over points, but accepted tunes are the likes of, When the Saints, Bill Bailey. I'll see if I can find some of my old albums.

Talking of jazz, anyone going to the MU christmas party on Sunday??

Update: I spoke with my customer yesterday, and his requirements for Trad Jazz are as I thought - he wishes to hear 'dixieland' type jazz, and the jazz you would hear from New Orleans.

So, any good compilations out there for this?