William Warfield is the singer/actor who appeared in the 1951 MGM musical "Show Boat" singing "Ol' Man River" and recorded the definitive "Porgy and Bess" for RCA in 1963. Warfield is also known for his world premieres of classic songs by composer Aaron Copeland in 1951 and 1953 with Copeland at the piano. Warfield passed away in 2002, after recording this album in late 2000 with Bill Carter's Jazz Band. Known for his distinctive baritone and superb vocal clarity, Warfield sings spirituals like "Every Time I Feel the Spirit" and "Amazing Grace." the program is rounded out with instrumentals by Carter's band.

Trumpeter's ninth album on Delmark contains the roots of freebop, featuring his earliest recordings dating back to 1972; also includes never before released tracks from 1988 with Carter Jefferson, James King & Nasar Abadey - all cuts are original compositions.

Mike Smith (Frank Sinatra)-as, with Ron Perillo-piano, Jim Ryan-piano, John Whitfield-bass, Bob Rummage-drums.

Alto saxophonist presents hard swinging bop standards with Eddie Henderson-trumpet, James Williams/Harold Mabern-piano, Buster Williams-bass, Billy Hart-drums.

Clarinetist w. pianist Varro's trio: Ray Leatherwood-bass, Gene Estes-drums.

Trombonist Beebe recorded 2 swinging LPs for Delmark in the late 1970s which have been combined here onto one CD. At the time of this recording, Beebe's Chicago Jazz had been ensconced for 2 years at Flaming Sally's in Chicago's Blackstone Hotel. That these guys were a working band is evident, so enjoy this full hour of "Saturday Night Function"

Blues pianist Detroit Jr.. has appeared on a few Delmark albums as a sideman but now steps forward with his first Delmark CD as leader. Recorded in August, 2004, this album is hot off the presses and features many new originals by Detroit. He's backed by guitarists Lurrie Bell, Maurice John Vaughn, Jimmy Dawkins, Willie Davis, bassist Bob Stroger, drummer Kenny Smith and horn players Eric Schneider and Sonny Cohn. This is an "Enhanced CD" - pop it out of your CD player, put it in your computer and view Detroit performing a solo rendition of "Key to the Highway" along with a short interview.

Feat. Otis Spann, Sunnyland Slim, Roosevelt Sykes, Little Brother Montgomery, Memphis Slim, Speckled Red, Curtis Jones + more, 60 min. Total.

The foundation of rhythm & blues was set during the war years. Big bands were stripped down to smaller horn lead combos driven by a jumping rhythm section tailor-made for dancing. In this setting the "blues shouter" was an absolute necessity. While Big Joe Turner is the father of the style, the flamboyant Wynonie Harris popularized the shouter's role as a leather-lunged hell raiser. Two singers followed in Harris' footsteps: Piney Brown & Eddie Mack. This 22 track collection from 1948-50 contains 7 never before released cuts, and features Willis Jackson & Bobby Smith.

Guitarists Dave Specter and Steve Freund have been personal and musical friends for many years. Specter has always straddled the blues/jazz fence with a hip disregard for arbitrary restrictions, and on this CD, he once again puts his distinctive mark on a collection of outstanding instrumentals from all corners of blues and it's related genres. The result will please all lovers of lean, inspired guitar work. "Is What It Is" brings the two guitarists together for a smokin' blues date that has a perfect balance of Steve's heartfelt vocals on his new original songs and Dave's instrumentals, including "People Get Ready," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "Albatross" and several Specter originals.

After stints with Lionel Hampton and Cab Calloway, this tenor man took center stage. His sax is backed by Charles Mingus, Bill Doggett and Joe Newman on these 1945-47 recordings. He dazzles on ferocious swingers and tender ballads alike: Bottoms Up; 12 Minutes to Go; South Street Special; Merle's Mood; Jacquet Bounce; Diggin' the Count; What's This 23 tracks!

Also known as Jazz by Sun Ra, this 1956 LP was the first widely distributed album by this experimental-jazz trailblazer. It took many critics years to fully apprehend the harmonic and rhythmic inventions of Brainville; Transitions; Possession; a Call for All Demons; Street Named Hell, and more!

This 1965 session is led by trumpeter Humphrey, joined by Albert Burbank, Jim Robinson, Cie Frazier, "Slow Drag" Pavageau & George Guesnon, inc. Many never before released alt. Takes.

Floyd McDaniel has been on the urban hipster's jump & jive scene for over 50 years, his guitar style has been described like T-Bone Walker & his vocals like Nat Cole with a whisky roughness, 17 tunes in all.

Recorded in 1968-69, this is the first album from stinging west side Chicago Blues guitarist, Jimmy Dawkins. Guest artists include Eddie Shaw, Mighty Joe Young, Lafayette Leake and others.