Limited vinyl LP pressing. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Peanuts brand, Peanuts Greatest Hits is an all-new compilation featuring 12 of the most memorable recordings from the beloved animated Peanuts TV specials, all with the sophisticated, yet accessible jazz styling's of the Vince Guaraldi Trio. The album, which includes such favorites as the instantly recognizable 'Linus and Lucy,' the 'Charlie Brown Theme' and the humorous 'Little Birdie,' also includes all new liner notes by Peanuts historian Derrick Bang. Also includes 'Great Pumpkin Waltz', 'Thanksgiving Theme', 'Oh, Good Grief' and the new classic holiday chestnut 'Christmas Time Is Here'. Relive the magic of Peanuts and Guraldi!
Carmen Lundy, long considered the foremost jazz vocalist alive today by critics and colleagues alike, has amassed a huge catalog of jazz recordings and compositions over her 35 year career. Carmen Lundy's 12th CD release, and one of her finest ever, features 8 new originals composed and arranged by Carmen Lundy, and one lone standout classic, "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square". Her core band of stellar musicians - Anthony Wonsey on piano, Kenny Davis on bass, and Jamison Ross on drums - and special guest artists Oscar Castro-Neve's on guitar, Nolan Shaheed on trumpet and flugelhorn, and George Bohanon on trombone, round out this superb collection of new songs. Recorded and mixed by the incomparable Don Murray and mastered by the legendary Doug Sax, this album is sure to win over old and new fans alike.
Cyrus Chestnut, one of this generation's most soulful Jazz pianists, releases "Soul Brother Cool". His new CD on WJ3 Records. Chestnut is joined by Willie Jones III (drums), Freddie Hendrix (trumpet) and Dezron Douglas (bass). "Soul Brother Cool" is comprised of all originals by Chestnut. Tracks include Soul Brother Cool, Dawn of the Sunset, Intimacy and Spicey Honey. Cyrus Chestnut will be touring Europe this summer with his Quartet in support of this new CD.
Secular Psalms - Dave Douglas - Secular Psalms is a new Dave Douglas studio album featuring a newly commissioned suite of ten pieces, with an entirely new group of young international musicians. Invited by the City of Gent and Handelsbeurs Theater to commemorate 600 years since the creation of the Gent Altarpiece by Jan Van Eyck, Douglas branches out into new instruments like the serpent, lute, organ and sampler, providing a painterly panorama of new sounds. Drawing on Latin Mass, on early medieval folk songs, on composers of the period, like Guillaume DuFay, and on jazz and improvised music, Douglas and team deliver a lyrical, mystical, spiritual score full of upbeat optimism for our times. Douglas says the title refers to "songs of praise for all of us.' For this project he has invited musicians Tomeka Reid, Marta Warelis, Berlinde Deman, Frederick Leroux and Lander Gyselinck. A surprising and uplifting release created during these pendemic times.
From the startling and provocative rendition of opener "Alice in Wonderland," to a gorgeous take on "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry," the legendary pianist continues the ceaseless development of his singular piano trio concept with his band mates of six years, bassist Jeff Johnson, and drummer John Bishop. "... another fine example of the veteran jazz pianist at the height of his powers - and with no holds barred whatsoever." - Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes "... a pianist of astonishing power and creativity... " - Brad Walseth, Jazz Chicago.
'Guardians of the Heart Machine' - the debut Whirlwind release from tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake - symbolizes and protects the importance of creating music with feeling, blending his considerable experience in contemporary jazz with three exciting players originally from the French scene - pianist Tony Tixier, double bassist Florent Nisse and drummer Gautier Garrigue. Available on a high quality, 6 panel digipack with a velvety soft-touch laminate finish and 180 gram, 12" 2x Gatefold LP (4 sides of music - A, B, C, D) - comes with download code containing the digital album in multiple formats. Guardians Of The Heart Machine / Vaporbabe / Sneaky D / I'm OK / Lanota / Wandering Aengus / Betty In Rio / Blues For The Real Human Beings / The Blasted Heath
Pianist Hal Galper disbanded his Ahmad Jamal-inspired trio in 2000 after a productive decade of steady touring and recording. Returning to 'the shed' for several years to work on concepts, teach and write, he came to realize that a rubato approach to time and movement-a concept he was first exposed to with Sam Rivers in the early '60s-was where he was being led. With bassist Tony Moreno & drummer Billy Mintz, Galper found able & willing partners to explore new territories in 2005, recording "Agents of Change" in 2006. The trio was the first stone cast in that direction for the eclectic pianist, a remarkable late career modernization that ushered in one of the most significant innovations in the art of the trio since Bill Evans' conception of equal partnership in the early '60s. This trio was a foray into a more melodic and beauty focused approach to rubato, before the more explosive and wide-roaming version portrayed by Galper's last touring trio of 2007-2019, with bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop. "Invitation to Openness" was a brief return to the original rubato trio with Moreno & Mintz, recorded in 2008, live in upstate New York. This indomitable period of innovation, that so remarkably occurred a half century into his career, was enabled by his trio association with Marino and Mintz, so beautifully portrayed by the tracks contained within.
Thirsty Ear would like to congratulate Mary Halvorson, Guitarist and Composer, as Fellow for the 2019 MacArthur Genius Award. Following their critically acclaimed debut trio album, 'Electric Fruit', Mary Halvorson, Weasel Walter and Peter Evans have masterfully crafted their second release 'Mechanical Malfunction'. The trios blistering performances will, in equal parts, enrage, excite and bewilder. Anchored with compositions that sparkle and twist, the tunes morph into magical journeys. Welcome to Jazz 2.0-a brave new world. Fasten your seat belts.
As the follow-up to his critically-acclaimed Big Band recording, "Clockwise: The Music of Cedar Walton," pianist Ben Markley presents this spirited and thoroughly modern quartet session of original compositions, featuring alto saxophone great Greg Osby. Inspired by their developing musical relationship over the last four years, Markley composed a set of music with Osby in mind, followed by a tour and this recording. With the crisp and fully engaged support of bassist Evan Gregor and drummer Dru Heller, the effect of Markley and Osby's fluid rapport creates an inspired argument for further exploration. "'Basic Economy' is a vivid presentation of the sound of today, with a healthy nod to the institutions of chance and imagination." - Greg Osby
Mark Egan and Danny Gottlieb, long time band mates and highly acclaimed rhythm section team, have released a Duo recording, Electric Blue. Drawing from their 49 years of playing experience with such luminaries as Pat Metheny, Sting, Gil Evans, John McGlaughlin, Pat Martino, Larry Coryell and many more, Danny and Mark have created a platform to explore and document their highly creative interplay and improvisational stylings within the universe of drums and bass. Listeners of Contemporary Jazz, Ambient Music, Prog Rock, Fusion and Jam Bands will feel at home with this dynamic recording. 180 gram vinyl.
Vinyl LP pressing. Digitally remastered edition of Dee Dee's debut album. Recorded in Tokyo in 1974, the album was originally released exclusively in Japan via two different Japanese labels. Afro Blue features an exquisite collaboration of American and Japanese musicians, such as Cecil and Ron Bridgewater, Motohiko Hino and producer Takao Ishizuka. The result is a sublime deep soul-jazz masterpiece with timeless versions of 'People Make The World Go Round', 'Love From The Sun', and 'Afro Blue'. It is arguably one of the finest albums in it's genre. This record has long been a sought-after item for DJs and collectors alike, so we are delighted to finally make this wonderful music from an understated great available to all.
Pianist Ben Markley, along with special guest trumpeter Terell Stafford, celebrates one of the more influential and beloved figures in jazz through this unique project, showcasing many of the late pianist and composer Cedar Walton's most revered tunes through new arrangements for big band. Performing iconic compositions such as "Hindsight," "Bolivia," and "Holy Land," Markley brings together fellow faculty members from the University of Wyoming and top-flight Denver-area musicians to produce an honest and swinging recording that honors Cedar Walton while presenting his music in a bright new light. "Ben has found a way to embrace the music of Cedar Walton and transform it into stellar big band arrangements that express his voice, sound and musical genius." - TERELL STAFFORD"... to hear a big band's interpretation of Cedar's music has to be the most beautiful thing I have ever heard in my life!... I know Cedar is beaming at the results!!" - MARTHA WALTON
