One of the top R&B records of 1952, a tribute to the legendary woman who "went up to Alaska just to melt the snow"; the Blazes brought vitality & showmanship to the early years of R&B & became one of Chicago's hottest vocal combos.
NHE's third Delmark CD is a tribute to trumpeter Ameen Muhammad who made his transition on Feb. 28th, 2003, not long after the release of "Capetown Shuffle - Live at the HotHouse" (DMK #545). "Last summer, Dawkins-a brilliant Chicago saxophonist-bandleader-composer-and his NHE ignited the incendiary music on this CD before a live audience at HotHouse" - Top Ten best jazz recordings of 2003 - Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune. Trumpeter Maurice Brown made his recorded debut last year on Fred Anderson's "Back at the Velvet Lounge" (DMK #549). Charles Walker of Sudden Thoughts commented that "... The veteran has found himself an uncannily interactive front-line foil in Brown."
Al Miller has assembled a full house of Chicago talent for your listening pleasure on his first album. Not only does this stacked deck feature Miller's triple threat talent as harpist, guitarist and vocalist, it boasts the formidable presence of some of the hottest blues artists from the windy city circuit - Willie Kent, Dave Specter, Tad Robinson and Steve Freund. (Previously deleted:3/1/04. Original release date:6/27/95)
Clarinet/tenor saxophonist Vandermark forges the jazz sound of the future, while retaining a healthy respect for his musical elders, and the Sound in Action Trio recorded here is built around one of them - former Sun Ra drummer Robert Barry, as well as drummer Tim Mulvenna.
Two unique jazz guitarists collaborate on "Song Songs Song." Jeff Parker's previous Delmark CD, "Like-Coping" (DMK #543), his first as leader, was more rooted in the classic jazz tradition compared to his other work with Tortoise, Isotope 217, Chicago Underground or Tricolor. The music on "Song Songs Song" is free and stylistically similar to Scott Fields' first Delmark CD. Jazziz Magazine described Fields' music as: "open-ended, freeform sound-scapes filled with noises that are alternately weird, discomfiting and stimulating" - (reviewing "Mamet," DMK #527). "Parker turns in one cogent but disarming performance after another" - Top Ten best jazz recordings 2003 - Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune.
This is the solo debut by Chicago pianist/synthesist Jim Baker, previously recorded in settings ranging from duets to Ken Vandermark's Territory Bands, and from third-stream projects (with Guillermo Gregorio) to rock groups (with Nicholas Tremulis). Having previously collaborated with reedists (Fred Anderson, Kyle Bruckmann, Nicole Mitchell, Ken Vandermark, Mars Williams) and with various trios (bassists Harrison Bankhead, Josh Abrams; cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm; percussionists Avreeyal Ra, Michael Zerang), Baker set himself the seemingly-paradoxical task of recording an album of free improvisations - on both piano and analogue synthesizer - which would have a "somewhat or somehow tuneful" character. Baker has been described as "deeply unusual."
Born and raised on Chicago's south side, violinist SavoirFaire cut his improvisational teeth at local jazz sessions. His first performance was at age 5 on stage at Chicago Symphony Center's Orchestra Hall as one of 25 special Suzuki students. SavoirFaire continued his musical path receiving scholarships to study with renowned teachers, winning local talent shows and the prestigious Interlochen award. Classically trained, his skill and oneness with his instrument has allowed him to grace the stages of Chicago's world-renowned jazz performance venues. Through swinging jazz, avant-garde free excursions, hip-hop, lush balladry, Latin-tinged movements and cascading Indo-African styled improvisations, this CD expresses SavoirFaire's commitment to the evolution of jazz.
Bandleader, arranger, tenor saxist Dave Clark leads the Blues Swingers, a nine piece vintage R&B revivalist band. Their first Delmark appearance was accompanying guitarist Floyd McDaniel on "Let Your Hair Down!" (DMK #671). Floyd passed at the age of 80 in 1995 but "Switchin' in the Kitchen" features five previously unreleased tracks from 1992 as well as 11 new tracks.
This project assembles jazz players Joseph Jarman, Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, Adegoke Steve Colson, Malachi Favors & Kahil El'Zabar - they are several leading members from the early days of the Assoc. For the Advancement of Creative Musicians - here they swing explosively in the Chicago avant garde style.
The Big DooWopper's debut album, "All in the Joy" (DMK #742), featured a wonderful blend of Chicago blues, R&B, soul blues, doowop and other related styles. This time the entire program is made up of gospel songs associated with Mahalia Jackson. The Big DooWopper sings all the parts, including the harmonies, creating exciting performances in the classic gospel quartet format, like the moving "Lead Me, Guide Me". There's even two songs with twenty voices! And there are solo pieces - just the DooWopper singing his heart out and wailing on the piano. It's another moving musical testament by the sight-impaired street musician from Chicago.
This album is the product of a friendship that developed more than three decades ago between two men who, although they grew up near the same Mississippi Delta town of Tchula, never met until they began living in Chicago. Harmonica/vocalist Lester Davenport and guitarist/producer Jimmy Dawkins are united here professionally after years of running around the city's West Side. Lester's vibrant, rocking CD with 12 original tracks is a magical place where blues giants like Jimmy Dawkins, Bob Stroger, Detroit Jr.. - and the "Mad Dog" himself - still roam.
Soulful Chicago vocalist and guitarist Byther Smith is a fighter, a scrapper, a hard worker and a survivor. As a child in Monticello, Mississippi he lost both his parents; his mother when he was one year old and his father six months later. Smitty came to Chicago in the mid-'50s and by the early '60s was playing at Theresa's Lounge, where he backed Junior Wells. He also worked with Big Mama Thornton, George "Harmonica" Smith and Otis Rush. He recorded his first LP for the Grits label in 1983, two for Bullseye in the early '90s, and this is his fourth Delmark CD and his first live album. On this recording you will hear Byther in his natural element, raw, alive and completely real.
The follow up to Hoodoo Man Blues (DMK 612), this classic Chicago blues album is now re-issued in an expanded digipak, "Deluxe Edition" containing unissued performances and a 16-page booklet with many never-before-seen photos. The Godfather of Blues, Junior Wells is accompanied by Buddy Guy and Louis Myers, guitar; Otis Spann, piano; Earnest Johnson, bass; Fred Below, drums. Recorded December 30, 1969 and January 8, 1970 the five extra performances include "Rock Me Baby", an alternate take of "I Could Have Had Religion", "Junior's In Charge" a eight-minute improvisational studio jam with lots of Otis Spann and more, 73 minutes. With new notes by producer Bob Koester. A must have for blues lovers.
The best musicians transcend styles and techniques. They deliver their hearts and souls, connecting on a primal level, one on one with each and every listener. Karen Carroll is just such an artist and one of the most universal artists to come on the scene since Nina Simone. Within one line she can lay down the grit of Howlin' Wolf stroked by the sass of Sarah Vaughan.
Formed in 1990 by saxophonists Pat Mallinger and Cameron Pfiffner, Sabertooth explores a variety of musical genres in the quartet format of two saxophones, drums (Ted Sirota) and organ (Pete Benson). The band's repertoire includes many original compositions; some inspired from various ethnic origins. In addition, the band often performs standards and jazz classics. Sabertooth continues an extended residency at one of Chicago's premier jazz clubs, the famous Green Mill Lounge. The band has been playing to capacity audiences every Saturday evening for ten years. This energy is represented on Live at the Green Mill, recorded June 23, 2007.
