American tenor and actor Mario Lanza (1921-1959) is the featured star on this two-disc set of newly re-mastered recordings from 1940-50, encompassing a time prior, on the whole, to his becoming a famed Hollywood star. +Features a varied menu of music from the Italian, French and American operatic and stage repertoire, including previously non-published recordings and rarities such as “Hallowen Suite”, “In A Persian Garden” and more.

After the success of Aida in December 1871, and despite his enormous popularity, Verdi retired as an operatic composer. + It took the young publisher Giulio Ricordi and composer and librettist Arrigo Boito a number of years to entice him to embark on what was originally called Jago, and only later known as Otello. + Verdi retained a reverence for Shakespeare, and had already composed Macbeth. + With Otello, completed in November 1886, and triumphantly received, he created a masterpiece from a play that, as Bernard Shaw noted, had all the ingredients of an Italian opera.

Also available on Blu-ray

Opera Vlaanderen of Antwerp continues its Rossini Cycle under the musical direction of conductor Alberto Zedda (87), with the rarely performed opera Armida. Armida is clearly a tenor opera par excellence, as we have four tenors here among the main roles. Enea Scala , Robert McPherson, Dario Schmunck and the young Adam Smith. Director Mariame Clément and her usual set designer Julia Hansen will also return to Opera Vlaanderen after the successfull Giasone by Cavalli released by Dynamic. They are now taking a critical look at the world of the Crusaders. Clément sees Armida as the incarnation of the concept of ‘love’, which in itself is magic and for which noble and heroic knightly ideals are cast aside. However, it is a love that turns into a destructive frenzy.

Following on from his acclaimed Resonus debut of solo works by Bartok and Kurtag, virtuoso violinist Simon Smith returns to the label with an enticing programme of chamber works for strings by Zoltan Kodaly and Erno Dohnanyi. Joined by colleagues Clare Hayes (violin), Paul Silverthorne (viola) & Katherine Jenkinson (cello), Smith presents three seminal chamber works from the first half of the twentieth century, performed with considerable elan by this exceptional collaboration.

Brass instruments are a vital part of the festive fabric of Christmas, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet The Nutcracker is made even more joyful with the brassy brilliance of Septura. Narrated by preeminent actor Derek Jacobi, The Nutcracker is set on Christmas Eve, with music both rapturous and fantastical. It tells the story of how young Clara’s favorite present, a nutcracker shaped like a little man, turns into a handsome prince at midnight. Septura has been acclaimed by Brass Band World for its ‘stylistic perfection’ and ‘beautifully portrayed artistry.’

The cembalo-obbligato sonata reached its zenith in the middle decades of the eighteenth century; thought to date from the last fifteen years of J.S. Bach’s life, the composer was a pioneer of this compelling form, and for the soloistic role of the harpsichord in ensemble music. Critically acclaimed Amsterdam-based viola da gamba player Robert Smith joins with the celebrated Italian harpsichordist Francesco Corti to present a new recording of four prime examples of this genre, Bach’s three Sonatas for viola da gamba and harpsichord along with a sonata by his close contemporary Christopher Schaffrath. Completing the album is a new work by Robert Smith – based on Henry Purcell’s Dido’s Lament this innovative new work for the instrument absorbs broad influences from both the eighteenth century and the heavy-metal band Metallica.

The music of Samuel Adler – born in Mannheim in 1928 but long since one of the leading figures of American music – has its roots in the Neo-Classical clarity of composers like Copland and Hindemith, who were among his teachers. The works on this album arose from a range of impulses: a Neo-Baroque concerto grosso and a tribute to Bach encase a series of tributes to lost individuals and traditions; and two jeux d’esprit – Ives’ tongue-in-cheek Variations on America and Holst’s ‘Jupiter’ from The Planets – both bring jollity in Adler’s idiomatic arrangements for string orchestra.

REVIEW:

Adler’s arrangements not only provide string orchestras the opportunity to perform these works, they offer considerable excitement and impact in their own right. The performances by the New York Classical Players and conductor Dongmin Kim are excellent throughout. The playing is incisive, tonally rich, and phrased with great care. The featured soloists are first-rate as well. Jürgen Thym’s excellent liner notes, including commentary from the composer, are brimming with information offered with erudition, clarity, and enthusiasm. Samuel Adler: Music for Chamber Orchestra is a marvelous tribute to an American musical treasure who has long distinguished himself as a composer, teacher, and writer. Recommended.

-- Fanfare

Reference Recordings is proud to present our fifth album with the prolific singer, songwriter, engaging storyteller, and masterful guitarist, Doug MacLeod. For "A Soul To Claim," Doug teamed up with legendary producer and engineer Jim Gaines. Through twelve new MacLeod originals, Doug and his trusty Waterloo guitar "P-nut" are joined by Memphis studio veterans Rick Steff/keyboards, Dave Smith/bass, and Steve Potts/drums. A perennial Blues Music Award nominee and multiple Blues Music Award winner including Acoustic Artist of The Year and Acoustic Album of the Year, "A Soul To Claim" is Doug’s 22nd album.

Bessie Smith was not only the first significant female blues singer to emerge during the early electric recording era, but her influence and reputation is such that she is still rightly hailed as the most important and greatest female blues artist in the annals of the genre, rightly given the title "The Empress Of The Blues". Her recording career was compressed into the decade covered by this collection, her career being blighted by the Depression, although she was actively performing and expanding her audience when she was killed in a car crash in 1937. This excellent value 48-track 2-CD set is selected from the 160 recordings she made for Columbia, and does not duplicate any titles which appear on the Fabulous label's existing Bessie Smith 2-CD set "Bessie Smith Greatest Hits" (FADCD2004), and so the two together will give collectors around half of her entire recorded output, including some lesser known material alongside the famous classics. During her career, she recorded with eminent musicians of the day accompanying her and most of them are featured in this collection, including Louis Armstrong, Fletcher Henderson, James P. Johnson, Clarence Williams, Benny Goodman, Jack Teagarden and Don Redman.

Bessie Smith, "The Empress Of The Blues", a uniquely powerful, soulful and uncompromising blues singer, was an originator and a star. She became one of the highest-paid Black performers of her time, influencing fellow blues and jazz singers for generations to come and helping transform the record industry. After treading the vaudeville boards in the 1910's alongside Ma Rainey, Smith rose to the top and was picked up by a struggling Columbia Records. Her first single Down Hearted Blues sold nearly a million in 8 months, saving Columbia from bankruptcy. Pressed on 140g black vinyl, this 13-track LP features some of The Empress' best-loved songs from her tragically short career. From her very earliest sessions in 1923, through collaborations with Louis Armstrong and Fletcher Henderson to later reflections on prohibition. A fitting tribute to one of the true heroes, not only of the blues, but musical history itself.

2-CD Set Limited Edition - Includes 16-page booklet. This release contains Jimmy Smith's complete classic Sermon sessions for the first time ever on a single set. These are his only preserved collaborations with Lee Morgan, the formidable trumpet player whose life came to a tragic end after being shot by his girlfriend at the tender age of 33. Tenor saxophonist Tina Brooks is also well featured here. The outstanding reedman would pass away at the age of 42 after a life of drug addiction and self abuse. 2 COMPLETE ALBUMS & MORE - 2-CD SET - CD1/TT: 73:17 CD2/TT: 72:14 - LIMITED EDITION - INCLUDES 16-PAGE BOOKLET

(2-CD set) This reissue features the powers of four master pianists, Willie "The Lion" Smith, Don Ewell, Claude Hopkins and Sir Charles Thompson. On 10 tracks recorded in Toronto in 1967, Smith and Ewell perform as a duo. Hopkins performs solo in the style of the Harlem pianists of the 1920s on 8 tracks recorded in 1972, while Hopkins performs solo on 6 tracks from 1984.

Violinist w. Jimmy Jones-piano, John Levy-bass.

One of the great stride pianists of all time, Willie "The Lion" Smith is represented on two distinct dates on this new CD. 9 of the 16 were recorded in 1971 with Willie being joined by cornetist Tony Newstead, clarinetist Tommy Gwaltney, bassist Van Perry and drummer Skip Tomlinson. The other 7 songs are from a live solo concert from 1944 except for being joined by drummer Gene Krupa on one song "Here Comes the Band". Tracks include: Ain't She Sweet, Am I Blue?, Echoes of Spring, Between the Devil And the Deep Blue Sea on the 1971 date and the Sneakaway, Louisiana, Darktown Strutters Bal, Oh Baby! On the 1944 date.

These tracks are from sessions trumpeter and vocalist Jabbo Smith recorded in 1961. Backing Jabbo are such musicians as guitarist Marty Grosz, clarinetist Frank Chace, pianist Art Gronwall, drummer Bob Saltmarsh. 14 tracks including: Diga Diga Doo, Sunday, Rosetta, Sweet Georgia Brown, Keepin' Me Out of Mischief Now.

Drummer/vocalist w. his Creole Sunshine Jazz Band playing Ory-style inc. Duke Heitger-tpt, Mike Owen-trmb/vcl, Orange Kellin-clt, Steve Pistorius-pno/vcl +.

W. Keith Smith-tpt, Mike Sherborne-tmb, Frank Brooker-cl, Jon Marks-pno, Brian Turnock-bs, Barry Martyn-dms, recorded London 1965.

In the spring of 1965 pianist Don Ewell began his four-week engagement in Toronto that lasted seven months. David Gillman, a jazz fan and one-time promoter, started hanging at the Golden Nugget and was reminded of another stride legend Willie "The Lion" Smith who he had presented in the '40s. Fast forward to '66, Gillman brings Ewell and Smith together for a Canadian TV filming. While in town the two jam together often at the Nugget and informal, live recordings are made (issued as Stride Piano Duets, DMK 249). The following year the two are brought together into a recording studio and this album is the astonishing result.

HEARTS REFLECTION

WISDOM IN TIME

2nd in the complete United Records sessions, with Tab Smith (alto & tenor saxophone, vocals); Louis Blackwell (vocals); Leon Washington, Charles Wright (tenor saxophone); Irving Woods, Sammy Cohn (trumpet); Lavern Dillon, Teddy Brannon (piano); Wilfred Middlebrooks (bass); Walter Johnson (drums); Lavern Dillon-piano.

Jazz alto saxophonist Tab Smith was the most prolific artist on United, recording nearly 100 sides during the label's seven year existence from 1951-57, including his smash hit "Because of You." of the 24 tracks on "Crazy Walk," 10 are previously unissued while most of the others have been unavailable since the original 78s or the extremely rare United LPs. This fourth and final installment of the complete United recordings by Tab is unique for it's use of the organ as the main keyboard accompaniment. Also available: "Jump Time" (DMK 447), "Ace High" (DMK 455) and "Top 'N' Bottom" (DMK 499).

Straight ahead swing from Sinatra's altoist since 1988.

Exciting C. Adderly-influenced altoist w. Ron Friedman, Jodie Christian+ 1990.

21 songs from the United label's alto sax great, inc. 14 cuts never before released, feat. Irving Woods, Charlie Wright, Robert Darby, Teddy Brannon, Lavern Dillon +.