(4-LP set) Ranked time after time as one of the best live jazz recording sessions in history, and yielding two of Evans' most classic albums (Waltz for Debby, Sunday at the Village Vanguard), The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961 represents the pinnacle of spontaneous musical communication: three men breathing as one on a tiny bandstand. This box set is the ultimate collectable item for any jazz fan. Pressed on 180 gram vinyl, this four-LP set comes with a 12-page booklet, complete with new liner notes by reissue producer Bill Belmont, as well as the original liner notes by the producer of the original recordings, Orrin Keepnews. Reproductions of session notes and photographer Steve Schapiro's proof sheets from the performances add vintage context to the packaging. Also included in the box is a stunning metallic and black poster of the famous cover - Evans, in profile, deep in concentration at his piano.
A few years later, millions fell in love with Guaraldi's Peanuts music. But the pianist's first big breakthrough and best album was this 1962 LP, which shot to #24 thanks to the #22 pop hit Cast Your Fate to the Wind. This reissue adds alternate takes of that Guaraldi original plus Manha de Carnaval; O Nosso Amor, and Felicidade !
The legendary last recording of Evans' brilliant trio (with Paul Motian and Scott LaFaro, who died days after this was taped at the Village Vanguard). Invigorating freedom and deep emotion meet and cast a powerful spell; this reissue adds alternate takes of Waltz for Debby; Detour Ahead, and My Romance plus other bonus material!
The Ellington Suites is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington which collects three suites recorded in 1959, 1971 and 1972. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Big Band. Interesting fact: Ellington wrote the Queens Suite for Queen Elizabeth II, who was presented with a single pressing of the recording which was not commercially issued during Ellington's lifetime. This newly re-mastered edition features a previously unreleased bonus track; the only known recording of the Ellington composition 'The Kiss'.
The exquisite piano passages of Bill Evans brought out the absolute best in Bennett when they met in the studio for the first time in '75. Here's the complete classic plus five unissued alternate takes!; they do But Beautiful; Young and Foolish; My Foolish Heart; When in Rome; Some Other Time, and more.
Wes recorded this 1963 Riverside LP with the backing of B-3 master Melvin Rhyne and always-inspiring drummer Jimmy Cobb. The brilliant fretwork of the Trick Bag ; the funky Fried Pies ; the swinging the Breeze and I, and the gorgeous Days of Wine and Roses are here, as are three bonus alternate takes!
THE COMPLETE TONY BENNETT/BILL EVANS RECORDINGS features both legendary albums, the Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album and Together Again, completely remixed and remastered along with exensive rare and alternate material. This specially priced double disc package also features all-new liner notes by Will Friedwald.
Vinyl LP pressing. Live archive release. On A Monday Evening is an unreleased (and never bootlegged!) 1976 concert recording of The Bill Evans Trio, featuring Eddie Gomez and Eliot Zigmund, captured live at Madison, WI's Union Theater. The 12-track album offers both contemporary compositions from that era, as well as longstanding signature tunes of Evans', and includes new liner notes by Grammy Award-winning jazz historian Ashley Kahn, with commentary by Gomez and Zigmund. A jazz legend, Evans' use of impressionist harmony, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, block chords, and trademark rhythmically independent, "singing" melodic lines continue to influence jazz pianists today.
This 50th anniversary re-issue of the original 1964 recording is enhanced with 24-bit remastering and new liner notes by PEANUTS historian Derrick Bang. Among the nine tracks from the original Fantasy recording is the now-iconic 'Linus and Lucy,' which eventually made it's way to prime-time television a year later in the soundtrack to a CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS. Also includes two bonus tracks! This is a must have for all PEANUTS fans, and fans of the classic sounds of the beloved Peanuts music by Vince Guaraldi.
Digitally remastered edition of this 1953 live album by Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus Bud Powell and Max Roach. Jazz at Massey Hall has been called 'the greatest Jazz concert ever'. Features original and new linter notes and fully restored original artwork.
This San Francisco trio of the mid-1950s has a sparkling personality all it's own, with a refreshing lack of pretentiousness. With an ebullient swing on the up-tempos, and a subtle, unhackneyed approach to ballads such as "Sweet and Lovely" and jazz standards such as John Lewis's "Django", this 1956 LP marks Guaraldi's triumphant first complete album as a leader. With Eddie Duran and Dean Reilly.
This 1959 Riverside solo date, a sequel to Thelonious Himself, found Monk delivering one of his most relaxed, thoughtful, quietly moving performances. Two takes of There's Danger in Your Eyes, Cherie join Blue Monk; Round Lights; Ruby, My Dear; Blue hawk; Remember, and more. A must for Monk fans!
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Peanuts brand, Peanuts Greatest Hits is an all-new compilation featuring 12 of the most memorable recordings from the beloved animated Peanuts TV specials, all with the sophisticated, yet accessible Jazz styling's of the Vince Guaraldi Trio. The album, which includes such favorites as the instantly recognizable "Linus and Lucy," the "Charlie Brown Theme" and the humorous "Little Birdie," also includes all new liner notes by Peanuts historian Derrick Bang.
Originally released in 1962, this classic jazz album has been newly reissued on 120-gram vinyl to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Prestige Records and the 90th birthday of legendary recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder. Trane, trumpeter Wilbur Harden, pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Jimmy Cobb lend exquisite ensemble playing to Don't Take Your Love from Me; I'll Get By (As Long As I Have You); Spring Is Here, and Invitation ! Fantasy.
Digitally remastered and expanded two CD edition of this 1963 live show by the Jazz great which was not officially released in 1977. Coltrane fronts a stellar quartet on both European dates that includes McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. In addition to the nine tracks that appeared in the original Afro Blue Impressions double album, the reissue also includes three bonus tracks from a Stockholm date. When you compare and contrast the performance of a composition that was released on the original album to a different performance of the same composition from among the bonus tracks, says Afro Blue Impressions reissue producer Nick Phillips, it perfectly illustrates just how restlessly creative Coltrane and his band were. Each song was a springboard for unpredictable improvisation and boundless creativity.
Vinyl LP repressing of this jazz classic. 1963's Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers' Ugetsu was recorded at the legendary Birdland club, when the New York post-bop era was still very much in progress. Featuring both a young Wayne Shorter and Freddie Hubbard, Ugetsu remains a reaffirmation of the belief that this kind of on-the-scene adventure can create some of the most effective recorded jazz. With Curtis Fuller, Hubbard, Shorter, Cedar Walton and Reggie Workman. The album marked Riverside's recording debut at the Birdland, one of the most famous and celebrated American jazz clubs. According to the liner notes, Orrin Keepnews, the producer, stated that "there were other performances taped that night that couldn't be fitted into the resulting album".
The jazz legend's first 12" LP, originally released in 1955, has been newly reissued on 120-gram vinyl to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Prestige Records and the 90th birthday of legendary recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder. Hear Miles, pianist Red Garland, bassist Oscar Pettiford and drummer Philly Joe Jones perform sublime renditions of Will You Still Be Mine?; I See Your Face Before Me; I Didn't; a Gal in Calico; a Night in Tunisia, and Green Haze ! Fantasy.
Limited vinyl LP pressing. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Peanuts brand, Peanuts Greatest Hits is an all-new compilation featuring 12 of the most memorable recordings from the beloved animated Peanuts TV specials, all with the sophisticated, yet accessible jazz styling's of the Vince Guaraldi Trio. The album, which includes such favorites as the instantly recognizable 'Linus and Lucy,' the 'Charlie Brown Theme' and the humorous 'Little Birdie,' also includes all new liner notes by Peanuts historian Derrick Bang. Also includes 'Great Pumpkin Waltz', 'Thanksgiving Theme', 'Oh, Good Grief' and the new classic holiday chestnut 'Christmas Time Is Here'. Relive the magic of Peanuts and Guraldi!
Vinyl LP pressing. This 1963 LP marked the last album Bill Evans made for his first label, Riverside, and was the second of two live recordings which Evans did for the label (the other resulted in the iconic Village Vanguard LPs). But above all, these two nights at Shelly Manne's club in Hollywood marked the only recording by Evans' excellent but short-term third trio, featuring Chuck Israels on bass and LA drummer Larry Bunker. The trio performs a selection of standards with a melodic and sensitive touch. Bill Evans was an American jazz pianist and composer who mostly worked in a trio setting. Evans' use of impressionist harmony, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, block chords, and trademark rhythmically independent, "singing" melodic lines continue to influence jazz pianists today.
Limited collectable picture disc LP pressing in die-cut sleeve. The picture disc features Charlie Brown's face on Side A, and Lucy's face on Side B. Peanuts' Greatest Hits features 12 of the most memorable recordings from the beloved animated Peanuts television specials, all with the sophisticated, yet accessible jazz styling's of the Vince Guaraldi Trio. Includes such classics as 'Linus and Lucy,' 'Christmas is Coming' and 'Little Birdie.' San Francisco-based jazz musician Vince Guaraldi had already established himself as a pianist and composer, first with Cal Tjader and then as a leader of his own group, when producer Lee Mendelson came knocking. Mendelson had been enchanted by Guaraldi's 1963 surprise hit single, "Cast Your Fate to the Wind," and asked him to write some original music for a documentary to be entitled A Boy Named Charlie Brown. Though the program didn't air at the time, Guaraldi's music so perfectly captured the mood and character of Peanuts, that he was invited to write the soundtrack for the first Peanuts special that did air, 1965's landmark A Charlie Brown Christmas. And the rest is history
Among the most intense and fascinating recording sessions of Thelonious Monk's career, Monk's Music surrounds the pianist/composer with his early boss Coleman Hawkins, his ideal drummer Art Blakey, two younger musicians who had worked with him productively earlier in the Fifties (Ray Copeland and Gigi Gryce), and another pair that would soon make history as part of his legendary Five Spot quartet (John Coltrane and Wilbur Ware). The program includes early Monk classics and the thorny new Crepuscule with Nellie, extended blowing performances and a brief opening horn fanfare, the sum of which equals an album where even the rough edges confirm the combustible atmosphere generated when jazz's best worked under the direction of the music's supreme individualist.
George Benson was only 21 when, on May 1, 1964, he recorded his first album as a leader, the New Boss Guitar of George Benson. At that point, the guitarist had yet to become a huge name in jazz, although many of those who knew Benson agreed that he showed great potential. This is an impressive debut. The guitarist had developed a distinctive, recognizable sound on his instrument, and he plays with both feeling and technique on five Benson originals (including the sly "Shadow Dancers, " the exuberant "Rock-A-Bye, " and the earthy blues "I Don't Know") as well as interpretations of "Easy Living" and "Will You Still Be Mine." This album is historically important as well as rewarding.
Millions love this pianist/composer for his Peanuts music, but his biggest solo triumph, easily, was this 1962 LP. His imaginative interpretations of songs from the film Black Orpheus join Guaraldi originals including his sole pop hit, the beautiful Cast Your Fate to the Wind, which joins Samba de Orfeu: Manha de Carnaval: O Nosso Amor, and more. So sweet to be able to hear this on vinyl! 120-gram. Fantasy.
Live archive release. On A Monday Evening is an unreleased (and never bootlegged!) 1976 concert recording of The Bill Evans Trio, featuring Eddie Gomez and Eliot Zigmund, captured live at Madison, WI's Union Theater. The 12-track album offers both contemporary compositions from that era, as well as longstanding signature tunes of Evans', and includes new liner notes by Grammy Award-winning jazz historian Ashley Kahn, with commentary by Gomez and Zigmund. A jazz legend, Evans' use of impressionist harmony, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, block chords, and trademark rhythmically independent, "singing" melodic lines continue to influence jazz pianists today.
This Max Roach Riverside quintet date is notable features the young trumpeter Booker Little, with Ray Draper's tuba as a melody instrument; tenor saxophonist George Coleman and bassist Art Davis complete the group. Highlights include It's You or No One, You Stepped out of a Dream and Roach's unaccompanied drum piece Conversation.
Vinyl LP pressing. The second album by the original Bill Evans group - released in 1961 - was recorded after the pianist, bassist Scott LaFaro, and drummer Paul Motian had spent a year working together and honing the telepathy that established a new standard for trio interaction. Featuring intimate readings of several standards plus three compositions from the jazz world that became synonymous with the trio's sounds, the album was cited by Evans years later as among his own favorite recordings.
