Vocalist/guitarist shows new facets in his blues talents, inc. his skills at smooth-swinging T-Bone-esque guitar, feat. Ken Saydak, Harlan Terson, Kenny Smith + 2 songs w. guitarist Dave Specter.

Trumpeter Malachi Thompson applies his "freebop" approach (a melding of free jazz and bebop) to brass big band again for "Blue Jazz," the third CD from the four trumpet, four trombone with rhythm section group. "Thompson has created another grand statement on the meaning, purpose and beauty of American jazz. Epic effort." - Chicago Tribune from the review of the last Africa Brass CD, "Buddy Bolden's Rag" (DMK #481). Gary Bartz on alto sax and Billy Harper on tenor sax have a strong presence throughout while vocalists Dee Alexander and the Big DooWopper, and Gene "Daddy G" Barge on tenor sax guest, add their special touches.

The Big DooWopper is a blind street musician who travels with his keyboard to play in the Chicago subway train system - you can find him on weekdays in the tunnel between the Red & Blue lines near Washington & State; his 9 nine originals reflect many blues influences, and he does a soul/blues cover of Prince's "Purple Rain"

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.

Chicago blues bassist presents 8 originals & 2 originals by guest guitarist James Wheeler, also feat. Chico Banks-gtr, Kenny Barker-pno, Willie Davis-gtr +.

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)

Chicago vocalist/guitarist plays an appealing melodic, vocal-infected contemporary blues to complement his down-home picking style.

Apollo's lady blues singers w. Danny Barker's Sextet, George Kelly, Larry Johnson, Panama Francis, Bill Campbell.

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.

Blues pianist remains a living link to the golden era of classic Chicago blues of the 1950s - here are 17 original compositions with accompaniment by James Wheeler, Bob Stroger & Willie "Big Eyes" Smith.

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.

Unissued session from 1977.

SEVERAL LIGHTS

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.

R&b with jazz solos, 21 cuts from 1946-47 w. Babs Gonzales, Loumell Morgan, Artie Simms, Babe Wallace, the Four Blues & Ben Smith, from the Apollo Series.

12 originals from Chicago blues singer - he revisits the song "Diff'rent Strokes" & a tribute to Magic Sam.

Sarah & her BTS Express run seamlessly through their set of mostly uptempo, funky & contemporary blues.

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.

Originally issued in 1982, this album contains all original songs reflecting Jimmy's background in blues, soul, gospel & jazz.

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.

Features Rob Mazurek, cornet; Chad Taylor, drums; Noel Kupersmith, bass; and Jeff Parker, guitar.

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.