One of the most innovative, experimental and outlandish figures in American jazz, saxophonist Ornette Coleman dramatically altered the direction of the genre. A leading musician on the avant-garde scene, Coleman was among the pioneers of the free jazz movement, alongside Charles Mingus, Eric Dolphy and John Coltrane. His unconventional techniques, stark arrangements and unique playing style opened up a host of possibilities for what could be achieved in the field of jazz, and in so doing he earned himself a reputation that is as potent today as ever it was. This 4CD set compiles all eight Ornette Coleman albums released between 1958 and 1962, from his stunning debut Something Else, through to his final album with the Ornette Coleman Quartet, Ornette On Tenor. Featuring over five hours of music, remastered to the highest standard possible, this collection serves as both an excellent starting point for those new to this musical genius, and as a welcome reminder of Coleman s most acclaimed and respected era, from a career that lasted the best part of 70 years, ended only by the man s passing in 2015 at the age of 85.

The stunningly creative decade following Coleman Hawkins’ return to the States from Europe in 1939 is chronicled on this remastered four-disc set. Containing tracks recorded under both his own name and with other bandleaders, this four-disc set includes “When Lights are Low,” “One Sweet Letter from You,” “Easy Rider,” and many more.

BONGO JOE

This CD contains the material Hawkins recorded for Al Benson's Parrot label in Chicago. Discographical details about these tracks remain incomplete but it seems all items were made in Aug. 1953 - despite various other recording dates found in reference-books and biographies. He was playing a residency at the "Toast of the Town" club in Aug. 1953 when Benson seized the opportunity to record for his new label. Only 4 tracks were actually issued on 45/78s - incidentally one with a romantic typo: "I'll Follow My Secret Heart" appeared as "I'll Follow My Sacred Heart!" Benson obviously tried to experiment, yet neither the vocal choir nor the organist helped Hawkins a lot. It seems that a 10" or 12" LP was originally planned but Benson never issued it. Tracks: I'll See You Later - What a Difference a Day Made - I'll Follow My Sacred Heart - Blue, Blue Days - Flight Eleven - Modern Fantasy - Confessing' - September Song - You Can't Take That Away from Me - Should I - Last Stop - Lullaby of Birdland - Get Happy - Out of Nowhere - Blue Lou - Stompin' at the Savoy - Just You, Just Me.

HAWK FLIES HIGH

Digitally remastered edition of this release by the Jazz legend. Coleman Hawkins' the Hawk Swings is's set originally issued on Crown. It shows the pioneer of Jazz saxophone was as relevant in the early 1960s as he was in the '20s/'30s. High quality Hard Bop with a bluesy edge, this record features a line-up of musicians familiar to those who read the backs of Blue Note and Prestige LPs: Ossie Johnson drums, Thad Jones on trumpet, George Duvivier on bass and the excellent Don Costa on piano and vibes. Boplicity.

What happens when jazz saxophonist Coleman Hawkins encounters another great sox player Ben Webster? Find out with this classic album repressed on 180 gram vinyl.

DUKE ELLINGTON MEETS

NEW YORK IS NOW! (BLUE NOTE TONE POET SERIES)

This superb recording features a reunion of two of jazz's finest - tenor-saxophonist Coleman Hawkins and clarinetist Pee Wee Russell.� At the time of this session, the two had not been on a recording date together in 32 years.� Here they revisit "If Could Be With You One Hour", a song they first recorded in a classic version back in 1929.

Japanese SHM-CD pressing packaged in a paper sleeve. Universal. 2023.

Vinyl LP pressing.

CD Limited Edition - Includes 16-page booklet - *AllMusic. This release contains the complete classic album Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster, as well as the other six tunes from the session, originally issued on other Hawkins' albums and long out of print anthologies. Four songs from sessions recorded on both the previous and the same day by each saxophonist alone with the same rhythm section have been added as a bonus. THE COMPLETE ALBUM + 10 BONUS TRACKS - CD EDITION - 17 TRACKS - TT: 78:41 - LIMITED EDITION - INCLUDES 16- PAGE BOOKLET

FREE JAZZ

Japanese reissue. Solid Records. 2020.

One of jazz's most powerful tenor saxophonists is heard at his freewheeling, unfettered best on The George Coleman Quintet in Baltimore, a hitherto unheard live recording from the Famous Ballroom in Baltimore, Maryland in 1971. It's a hard swinging and free wheeling, a style George Coleman was known for!

Double vinyl LP pressing. When any recording made by George Coleman is issued, it's an instant event. Though Coleman has always been busy performing, writing, and especially teaching, scant few LPs or CDs have come listeners' way. It is especially thrilling to hear him live in concert performance at the initial site of the then newly minted Yoshi's in Oakland, CA, as his extended techniques and heightened sense of tonal ideas come fully to the fore. Coleman and pianist Harold Mabern, both originally from the fertile jazz scene in Memphis, make the perfect tandem, ably supported by super pros in expatriate drummer Alvin Queen and veteran New York bassist Ray Drummond, both of whom Coleman played with when he was in Europe. There are many solemn, laid-back, and reflective moments from Coleman, as both of the opening tracks, 'They Say It's Wonderful' and 'Good Morning Heartache,' warm slowly and simmer at their easily swinging maximum, with the tenor man progressively squeezing out more and more notes in refined fashion. Never far from the soul of his homeland, 'Laig Gobblin' Blues' is a refreshing modal original by the leader, a 5/4 beat in a 12-bar idea, with 7/4 tossed in cleverly. The dignity and class of Coleman cannot be overemphasized, as he further displays on his neat and clean composition 'Father.' A lovely and loping 'Soul Eyes' is a perfect closer over it's nearly 17 minutes, giving pause to the thought that it was in fact Coleman who influenced John Coltrane. The quick, constantly forward-moving Freddie Hubbard standard waltz 'Up Jumped Spring' further shows a relationship between the tenor titans, with the band quoting Trane's 'Ol�.' The talent of Mabern is formidable, tasteful, and exciting, as showcased during his rumbling chords during 'Io,' a killer modal track written by Paul Arslanian, as Coleman inserts a memorable singsong line and Queen injects some calypso. This one is as definitive a track as Coleman has in his repertoire. Frankly, the whole LP from top to bottom has Coleman and his band inspired to the hilt and playing their best, and At Yoshi's is a highly recommended effort that deserves a space on each and every jazz lover's shelf.

An essential collection of avant garde jazz.

Prestige RVG Remastered Super Limited Encore Press. Universal Japan. 2023.

'Free Jazz: A Collective Improvisation' is an influential album by the American jazz saxophonist and composer Ornette Coleman. Released in 1961, the album had a profound impact on the development of avant-garde jazz and has influenced countless musicians in various genres. The album is renowned for it's innovative approach to group improvisation, where multiple musicians play freely and interactively without predetermined harmonic progressions or fixed time signatures. The recording uses stereo panning to separate the two quartets into the left and right channels, creating a spatial effect that enhances the listening experience. The album originally consists of a single continuous piece, split into two parts for the original LP release. This performance lasts almost 40 minutes. This CD release contains a CD only bonus track: 'First Take' of approx. 17 minutes. This track is an alternate take of the main piece 'Free Jazz', recorded during the same session. It provides listeners with insight into the creative process and the evolution of the final performance featured on the original album.

NEW YORK IS NOW

Classic recording from the most influential tenor sax player in the history of modern jazz, Coleman Hawkins, performing a selection of jazz standards. Also featured are Hawk originals "Red Beans," "Hawk Eyes" and "Through for the Night". Digitally remastered.

BODY & SOUL REVISITED

Hawk Talk is a superbly rich and lush album. Hawkins displays a real sensitivity to classical music and, perhaps more than any other album, displays a variety of musical timbres. Highlights include the melancholic ballad "Lonely Tenor" and the sultry "Whisper to Me".

Coleman Randolph Hawkins, nicknamed Hawk and sometimes "Bean", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. While Hawkins is strongly associated with the swing music and big band era, he had a role in the development of bebop in the 1940's.