Ammons' name is on the marquee, but Pete Johnson and Meade Lux Lewis share the ivories as you hear 18 live and studio cuts from '38 and '39! It's a boogie-woogie blowout: Bear Cat Shuffle; Mama's Blues; Jesse James; Yancey Special; Try Again; Shout for Joy; Boogie Woogie Stomp, and more.

This 1968 recording was originally issued as Electric Sleep, the title a riff on the Muddy Waters LP title Electric Mud. But the similarities ended there; whereas Mud was psychedelic and musically quite a departure from a traditional blues sound, Electric Sleep simply combines a country blues artist with an electric blues band. This 2007 reissue is re-mixed and mastered from the original analog tapes and has a brand new cover with photos from the recording session. The legendary blues poet is accompanied by Jimmy Dawkins (guitar), Sunnyland Slim (piano), Carey Bell (harmonica/bass), Earl Hooker, Joe Harper (bass), Odie Payne, Jr. (drums).(Previously deleted: 4/1/05. Original release date: 5/91)

Standup blues singer recorded on the West Coast during the heyday of Central Avenue, 1945, w. Jack McVea, Lucky Thompson (Dinah Washington), Shift Henry, Wild Bill Moore, Teddy Buckner+, from the Apollo Series, 15 tracks.

Classic blues 20's style w. Little Brother Montgomery & the State Street Ramblers, 12 tracks.

Born in Dublin, Mississippi in 1943, Jimmy Burns derived his earliest inspiration from the records of Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and others. After Jimmy moved to Chicago in the mid-'50s he discovered a scene that was perfect.

Innovative guitarist & composer Scott Fields makes his Delmark debut with a recording of 5 original compositions inspired by the work of playwright David Mamet. Fields, whose previous ensembles have included such notables as pianists Marilyn Crispell, Myra Melford, and saxophonist Joseph Jarman, finds himself in excellent company here. Drummer Michael Zerang is a stalwart of the Chicago scene and has provided the pulse for the Ken Vandermark Quartet & the explosive Peter Br"tzmann Tentet. Bassist Michael Formanek is a respected composer, bandleader, and bassist.

Trumpeter Yves Francois has been active on Chicago's jazz scene since the '70's. Yves is a huge fan of early jazz and started out as a jazz/blues trumpeter. He is still active today as Yves Francois et Rocambu Jazz, a swinging group that still plays jazz & blues but also highlife and Caribbean. In the '80's Yves issued two LPs, in tiny quantities, on Franz Jackson's Pinnacle label. The sessions were recorded in '81 and '86 and feature two of Chicago's greatest tenor sax players, Franz Jackson and Eddie Johnson. Delmark acquired the masters which are now available on CD for the first time. Contains many previously unissued tracks and a new mix. With Special Guests Franz Jackson, Eddie Johnson and Odie Payne, Jr..

W. Illinois Jacquet & His All Stars (inc. Bill Doggett & Charles Mingus), Jack McVea & His All Stars (inc. Teddy Buckner), Oscar Pettiford +.

Drummer Ted Sirota relocated to Chicago in 1992 after graduating from Berklee College of Music in Boston. Sirota quickly became very active on the Chicago jazz scene performing with Von Freeman, Jodie Christian, Fred Hopkins, Lin Halliday, Rob Mazurek and many others. As a member of the Sabertooth Jazz Quartet, Sirota has been performing weekly at the Green Mill for seven years now and counting. Ted Sirota's Rebel Souls was formed in 1996 and have since released three albums. "Breeding Resistance" is the Delmark debut for the Rebel Souls which features Jeb Bishop, trombone; Geoff Bradfield, tenor sax; Jeff Parker, guitar; Clark Sommers, bass; Ted Sirota, drums.

11 blistering' blues classics, including Beale Street Sugar Sleepy John Estes; That's All Right Jimmy Rogers, Rub a Little Boogie Champion Jack Dupree, and eight more.

Trombonist Jim Robinson played professionally from World War I onwards. In the 20s he made his first recordings as a member of the Sam Morgan Jazz Band. He gained greater fame with the resurgence of interest in early New Orleans jazz as a regular member of the bands of Bunk Johnson & George Lewis. He also led his own band and was known for his deep, wide-toned & robust tailgate style of trombone playing. This 1965 session, recorded at Preservation Hall, features Johnny Wiggs, cornet; Raymond Burke, clarinet; Bob Greene, piano; Allan Jaffe, tuba; Yoichi Kimura, drums. On CD for the 1st time, it features 12 songs including 2 previously unissued songs & alternate takes.

What makes this group so important is the relationship that exists between it's members. Bassist Jason Ajemian (Chicago Underground Trio, Lay All Over It, Born Heller) saxophonist Tim Haldeman, and drummer Nori Tanaka are regulars on the Chicago improvisation scene. Joined here by vibist Jason Adasiewicz (Loose Assembly, Exploding Star Orchestra,) trumpeter Jaimie Branch, and guitarist Matt Schneider this prolific, expansive and inventive group becomes a sonic family on this release. The interplay between the players is ceaseless in reawakening the heart of what is jazz today. Like a conversation among old friends it's intimacy is palpable; warm, friendly and at ease.

Even though Dawkins is the chairman of the AACM & uses "avant garde" to describe his music, his ensemble always remains accessible yet vital; it's a surprise that this is their first U.S. release, as they have been together for more than a decade & are regarded as one of Chicago's finest - the album is titled after the enthusiastic response from the audience in Johannesburg, South Africa & Mozambique.

Return to 50's style blues w. The Ice Cream Men.

Pianist Art Hodes' career lasted eight decades, starting in the late 20s and continuing into the 90s. Friar's Inn, near Van Buren and Wabash, was where the legendary New Orleans Rhythm Kings played Chicago in the early 20s. Their series of classic recordings for Gennett ushered in the early Chicago decade of jazz recordings. Hodes had long wanted to do a recording in honor of that early group and brought George Brunis and Volly DeFaut, both members of NORK in the 20s, to the studio for this 1972 session. On CD for the first time, this release features Barney Bigard and Barrett Deems.

W. "Mad Dog" Lester Davenport & others. 1991.

1958

Pianist Wally Rose was the original piano player in Lu Watters Yerba Buena Jazz Band, the band that started the Traditional Jazz revival of the 1940s and '50s. He also played with Bob Scobey in 1950-51, Turk Murphy in 1952-54 and spent many years as soloist in San Francisco. In 1953 Rose recorded two influential solo LPs: Ragtime Classics and Ragtime Piano Masterpieces. Rose remained active throughout the '70s and '80s. Whippin' the Keys was recorded at two sessions in 1968 and 1971. The twenty solo ragtime selections were originally issued on two Blackbird LPs (Rose on Piano, Blackbird 12007 and Whippin' the Keys, Blackbird 12010). They are reissued here for the first time.

An inspired soulfulness dominates the four extended compositions that make up this album, the second Delmark release by saxophonist Ernest Dawkins' New Horizons Ensemble. Recorded in Chicago in August of 2002, "Capetown Shuffle" celebrates numerous facets of the African American experience, from the gritty blues and AACM adventurousness of South Side Chicago, to joyful New Orleans marches, to the ancient ancestral grooves of South Africa. It was a special challenge to perform live all new compositions never played before an audience. The awesome results show why NHE shows are unique and flow unlike any other band.

On this, his second album as leader, Ken's piano, vocal & writing talents are showcased in a larger ensemble than on his successful debut, "Foolish Man". Joined on many cuts by a five piece band, Ken's music is reminiscent of some of his best work with the eclectic roots band Big Shoulders. Continuing to draw from the deep well of American music styles, he once again provides a musical mix that, while broad in scope, never strays too far from his roots in the blues. Trust this: this album is blues brawn with a brain!

Tenor sax player's 1959 session features the very first recording of Grant Green & young Elvin Jones on drums, also Harold Mabern-piano, Gene Ramey-bass.

Previously unissued 1983 concert by one of the most soulful blues artists w. Lucky Peterson's All-Stars.

Kevin O'Donnell, Drums; Andrew Bird, violin, vocals; Chris Greene, alto and soprano sax; Josh Bell, tenor sax; Colin Bunn, guitar; Josh Hirsch, bass.

This group has been about 2 horns & a drum for twenty years - over the years, drummer Kahil El'Zabar has stretched the boundaries of the band's sound, using trombone, African thumb piano, sax, guitar & other instruments; the music itself reflects African & African-American traditions with dance.

During her 25 years as a professional blues singer, Big Time Sarah has built a solid reputation worldwide with regular tours in the U.S. and abroad. She started sitting in during the late 1960's with Louis & Dave Myers, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, and Magic Slim. This album features five new songs Sarah collaborated on with songwriter William Bolden & arranger/guitarist Rico McFarland. Although more than capable of wringing the last drop of soul out of a slow burner, most of Sarah's music is about having a big, good time, and she delivers it with gusto.