Originally released on Sackville recordings in 1974 as "The Roscoe Mitchell Solo Saxophone Concerts", this historical reissue has been remastered and contains the same material as the original, which is primarily solo concerts from Montreal, Michigan and Pori, Finland recorded in 1973-1974. It captures Roscoe Mitchell in a very important period in his development as a musician as he started exploring his own solo voice again after a very productive period with the Art Ensemble of Chicago. It beautifully displays his virtuosity and range on the different horns in the saxophone family, and many of the melodies he explores in these recordings were expanded on in his later works. It is truly a peek into how some of his elaborate compositions may have begun.

Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Strings (BES), rides at the forefront of jazz, new music and creative improvisation. Mitchell's "rough and edgy" aesthetic rebels from the flowery sweet flute and string stereotype the runs rampant in jazz, which makes Renegades an appropriate title for the project. On Renegades, Mitchell's compositions bring African rhythms, contemporary sounds and swinging improvisation to a chamber music setting. Mitchell's BES concept started in 1997, but this is the group's first commercial recording. The CD features Nicole Mitchell - flute, alto flute, piccolo, Renee Baker - violin, viola, Tomeka Reid - cello, Joshua Abrams - bass, gimbre and Shirazette Tinnin - drums and percussion.

Unique flute work in an intimate quartet setting, supported and stimulated by some of Chicago's finest improvisers: Jeff Parker, guitar; Harrison Bankhead, bass; Avreeayl Ra, drums. Named 2010 Flutist of the Year in the Down Beat Critic's Poll, she rides the wave into new compositions that explore many colors, moods and rhythmic grooves. Mitchell's earlier projects involved larger groups; Black Earth Ensemble, Black Unstoppable (DMK 575 CD and 1575 DVD) and Black Earth Strings, Renegades (587). This smaller group setting opens the door for Mitchell to stretch out as a soloist more so than on any of her previous recordings.

Nicole Mitchell's Ice Crystal project explores water and glass chemistry of flute and vibes, by combining the creative flutist with young luminary Jason Adasiewicz on vibraphone. Ice Crystal's sound reminds US of the legendary collaboration between flutist Eric Dolphy and vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, but with a Chicago twist. Expression of yet another color in Mitchell's kaleidoscope of approaches, Aquarius is blues-inflected serenity, playfully swinging to the ethereal. Mitchell may have migrated to California, but her Chicago story continues, as she teams up with veteran improvisers Joshua Abrams (bass), Frank Rosaly (drums) and Jason Adasiewicz to take free swing to the ninth degree.

FICTION

SONG FOR MY SISTER

VISTA ACCUMULATION

Zealous Angles is the first documentation of pianist/composer Matt Mitchell's long-running trio featuring bassist Chris Tordini and drummer Dan Weiss. Mitchell has been called by The New York Times "a pianist of burrowing focus and an indispensable fixture of the contemporary vanguard." He is an anchor member of several significant and acclaimed creative music ensembles such as Tim Berne's Snakeoil, Dan Weiss's Starebaby, Miles Okazaki's Trickster, Ches Smith's We All Break, Kate Gentile's Find Letter X, Jon Irabagon's Outright!, Anna Webber's Simple Trio, John Hollenbeck's Large Ensemble, Linda Oh's Aventurine, Caroline Davis's Alula, Jonathan Finlayson's Sicilian Defense, and the Dave King Trio. He also performs regularly with many of the foremost musicians and bandleaders in improvised music, including Steve Coleman Dave Douglas, Rudresh Mahanthappa, John Zorn, Darius Jones, among many more.

The compositions on Zealous Angles represent Mitchell's explorations into the simultaneous use of polymetric and polyrhythmic music in a group context. Composed elements featuring phrases of different lengths are played simultaneously by each musician, resulting in a wobbly rhythmic tension with pulses locking in in surprising ways. The musicians also have the freedom to direct their interaction by playing any of the lines at any time, with a goal towards playing with maximum improvisational freedom while achieving heightened levels of rhythmic fluidity. Despite the teeter-tottering nature of the music, there is a palpable sense of swing and groove, completely shattering the notions of what is possible within the jazz piano trio tradition.

Roscoe Mitchell - One Head Four People - Roscoe Mitchell (Art Ensemble Of Chicago) was 2023's recipient of an American Society of Arts and Letters award which let to the creation of this work. Mainly a trio and quartet work Roscoe plays Bass saxophone as well as his percussion array.

Roscoe Mitchell Orchestra performs two masterpieces for the Fault Zone Festival April 21 2022. Distant Radio Transmission Fault Zone and Sustain and Run II features Roscoe on Alto Sax, James Fei on Synth, vocalist Thomas Buckner and a stellar thirty piece orchestra.. Also from the festival is Cards in 3D colors a duet written by Mr Mitchell for Piano and Violin and two Pieces from Space Trio

POUTING GRIMACE

Vinyl LP pressing. Miami-born trumpeter Blue Mitchell had a soulful, swinging style that was equally at home in jazz, R&B, and funk settings. Mitchell been a sideman on Blue Note sessions led by Lou Donaldson, Jimmy Smith, Jackie McLean and appeared on numerous classics as a member of the Horace Silver Quintet before he began recording his own Blue Note leader albums. For his 1965 date Down With It! The trumpeter reconvened the same dynamic quintet that had recorded his label debut The Thing To Do the year before including his Silver bandmates Junior Cook on tenor saxophone and Gene Taylor on bass along with a 24-year-old Chick Corea on piano and 22-year-old Al Foster on drums. The band comes flying out of the gate on the boogaloo grooved opener "Hi-Heel Sneakers" with other highlights of the set including the high-spirited "March On Selma" and the gorgeous ballad "Alone, Alone, Alone."