Art Hodes' career as a pianist (and journalist) started in the 1920s & continued into the 1990s - eight decades! He recorded for Decca, Mercury, as well as what he liked to call "the modest labels." These blues-drenched solo piano performances celebrate the music of jazz' greats, many of who Art knew well, including Louis Armstrong. Part of Delmark's Euphonic series, this album was recorded in 1976 & 1978. 13 of the 15 songs are previously unissued performances.

W. brother Von Freeman, produced by Michael Cuscuna, Dec. '93 release date.

Recorded in a classic woodfloor dance hall, this album features traditional New Orleans style jazz at it's best, feat. Charlie DeVore, Jim Klippert, Mike Carrell, Bill Evans & Donald Berg.

MODUS OPERANDI

Live performance of New Orleans-style jazz from 1966, feat. Cie Frazier-drms, Jim Robinson-trmb + never before released alternate takes.

Trombonist presents classic entertaining jazz in the tradition of Louis Armstrong & Bob Scobey, feat. Connie Jones-cnt, John Otto-clt/sax, Paul Asaro-pno, John Bany-bss +.

Prev. On Columbia Records, but now w. two alternates added from digitally restored masters.

Swinging trad. Jazz featuring vocalist Katherine Davis, with Roy Rubenstein-tmb, Bob Nabors-cornet, Norrie Cox-cl.

Album contains definitive 1953 recordings of clarinetist Lewis, who led the most authentic New Orleans jazz band. It's a New Orleans brass band that's come inside to play with a full rhythm section - relevant in spite of the vintage. It's blues, gospel, ragtime, and pop before rock. It struts and it stomps. These are the first studio recordings of the Lewis New Orleans Band that toured colleges, clubs and festivals and later settled in at Preservation Hall.

Featuring Lin Halliday. The "Tough Town" is Chicago, and on this 1991 debut recording of the jazz vibe player, Jim Cooper captures it's essence- it's blues and grit, but also it's sophistication and it's sentiment. Cooper spent his life in Chicago, growing up at 83rd and Cottage Grove in the 50s, when that deep-southside community throbbed with the pulse of nightclubs and jazz joints. He's joined by Chicago jazz legend Ira Sullivan who usually plays a variety of instruments on sessions but here he plays tenor sax only. Also Bob Dogan, piano; Dan DeLorenzo, bass; Charlie Braugham, drums and Alejo Poveda, percussion.

W. Jodie Christian-pno, Malachi Favors-bs, Albert "Tootie" Heath-dms & perc.

His first album from 1969, plus 4 never before released tracks, 60 min. Total.

Drummer presents re-issue of a 1978 album never before available on CD, inc. 2 bonus tracks, feat. Chuck Hedges-clarinet, Don DeMichael-vibe, Bob Roberts/John Defauw-guitar, Steve Behr-piano & Wilson McKindra-bass.

W. guest vocalist Katherine Davis, 4 tracks, 1993 recording.

Son of the late and neglected trumpeter/composer Cal Massey, Zane literally grew up surrounded by John Coltrane, Lee Morgan, Pharoah Sanders, McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Heath and others. Zane has developed a big, gruff tenor sax sound, and a concept of great continuity and rhythmic momentum. (Previously deleted:10/1/11. Original release date:3/26/98)

W. guest artist Leon Thomas, Carter Jefferson + 1989.

Jazz clarinetist Albert Nicholas played with King Oliver and Jelly Roll Morton in the 1920s, Louis Armstrong in the '30s and was a major figure in the traditional jazz revival in New York in the '40s. Pianist Art Hodes was also on the scene in the '20s and recorded for numerous labels including many successful sides with Nicholas for Blue Note in the '40s. In a review of the original LP of this 1959 session Brian Rust said "One is left without any doubt about Nicholas being far and away the greatest living jazz clarinetist." - the Gramophone. Hodes "plays with a darting vivacity which adds a stimulating sense of excitement to even the more mellow easygoing pieces." High Fidelity Magazine. (Previously deleted: 8/1/10. Original release date: 12/3/96)

Frank Walton is marked by creative excitement, a depth of emotion, subtle swing and a measure of funk, and harmonic and melodic sophistication. Walton has worked in and out of Chicago with the big bands of George Hunter, Jimmy and Morris Ellis as well as Muhal Richard Abrams Big Band. Trumpeter Walton is joined by soprano saxophonist Ari Brown and alto saxophonist Henry Threadgill among others. Tracks: Safari, Spongie, Waltz of the Prophets, Shorter's Vibes, Change of Mode. (Previously deleted: 4/1/08. Original release date:12/7/93)

Chicago vibes fronts 2 different quintets on this straight bop album; the first feat. Jodie Christian-piano & Lin Halliday-sax; the second feat. Kevin Quail-trombone, Joe Laco-piano, Richie Pardo-bass.

One of the most talented jazz sidemen in Chicago, Rich Corpolongo stepped forward in 1995 to make his debut recording as leader, Just Found Joy. The multi-reedist (alto and soprano sax and clarinet) displays a complete musical virtuosity and creative focus on eight original compositions. "a marvelous showcase for his writing and improvising talents... he rips through the constraints of bar lines and conventional propriety with controlled abandon. He'll push up to the boundaries of free jazz, but never stray from the structure of the song." - Art Lange "a sleeper hit, and a wake-up call about a brand-new longtime talent" - Jazziz. "*4 Stars*" - Down Beat.

In a review of this 1994 recording "The saxophonist has honed his already formidable technique to a masterly pitch of intensity, capable of articulating an authentic, personal vision within the jazz tradition. On this session he meshes so closely with his comrades that the music seems like a collective product, with a strong leader on an equal footing with his gifted sidemen." - Down Beat 4 Stars. With Dr. Odies Williams III or (the recently passed) Billy Brimfield, trumpet; Willie Pickens, piano; Brian Sandstrom, bass; Robert Shy, drums. (Previously deleted:1/11/11. Original release date:3/22/95)

Tenor saxophonist's second session from 1970 w. a group he called "The Light", feat. Sarnie Garrett-guitar, Fred Hopkins-bass, Wesley Tyus-drums, Rita Omolokun-vocals.

United masters 1951-53.

1959 piano trio session capturing a true Chicago legend.

W. Dizzy Gillespie, Ben Webster, Max Roach+ 1944.