Art Blakey's New Messengers blaze through hard-driving rhythms, soulful melodies, and breathtaking improvisation. Anchored by Keith Jarrett's virtuosic piano, Frank Mitchell's fiery sax, and Reggie Johnson's inventive bass, this album captures the band's live energy and intensity in full flight.
Here is Dizzy Gillespie's complete 1961 Monterey Jazz Festival performance, introduced by Diz as 'A Musical Safari'. This remarkable set reflects the quintet's working repertoire of the period, including a foray into bossa nova and features the superb Leo Wright and Argentinian pianist Lalo Schifrin. The first Monterey Jazz Festival was staged in 1958 and, since then, Jimmy Lyons and musical director John Lewis have traditionally gathered each September under the California sky many of the great names in jazz, along with several thousand enthusiastic listeners.
Son House proves his towering influence on the blues, pouring his raw voice, slide guitar, and candid storytelling into this visceral document of a legend still commanding the crowd and reaffirming the power of the Delta tradition. Recorded live at the Oberlin College, Ohio, 1965.
Channelling the restless energy and angular hooks of early '80s post-punk and indie rock, Great Tradition is Din's singular full-length snapshot - a sharp, urgent statement, brimming with the restless creative spark that became their calling card.
Born in the beating heart of Memphis and tempered by the roar of Beale Street and the smoky clubs of Chicago, Peter Chapman emerges here as Memphis Slim, a pianist whose touch rewrote the blues canon long before the world knew his name. From whisky-soaked nights filling in for Roosevelt Sykes to defining his own voice alongside legends, these recordings stand as a testament to a life lived deep in the music that shaped modern American sound.
Long before bossa nova found it's way into the American ear, Lonnie Sattin was already there. Recorded in Brazil with it's master musicians and shaped by Sattin's unmatched versatility, this album captures a moment when worlds collide, revealing an artist whose vision, curiosity, and voice were always a few steps ahead of their time.
Forged over years of touring, brotherhood, and hard-earned trust, George Coleman's Octet arrives fully realized. This is an explosive first statement from a band driven by experience, discipline, and fearless improvisation, capturing a moment when deep roots, shared legacy, and uncompromising fire collide at full volume.
Howlin' Wolf, a towering presence in Mississippi Delta music and a trailblazer of Electric Chicago Blues, is a name that carries immense weight in music history. This remarkable live recording from Bremen, Germany, in 1964, offers an essential snapshot of his raw power. Captured during the groundbreaking American Folk-Blues Tour, this concert played a pivotal role in sparking the British Blues movement and remains a treasure for any devoted fan. Recorded In Bremen, Germany, November 6, 1964
Sonny Stitt's 1974 Cadet burner finds the bebop veteran tearing through a heavy electric rhythm section, locking his trademark bite into a deep soul-jazz groove. With Roland Hanna, Ron Carter, and a killer New York lineup behind him, 'Satan' stands as one of Stitt's fiercest and funkiest studio snapshots of the 1970s.
Born of faith and forged in harmony, 'I Found the Answer' is a true gospel rarity, that speaks straight to the soul as only these voices can. Remastered for 2026 and newly reissued for CD, this is a powerful performance in sound and spirit from the one and only Swan Silvertones.
Here is a time capsule into the world of a musical titan who, after four decades at the helm of jazz innovation, was still striding through new artistic terrain with ease. Picture Duke Ellington-sharp as ever in a tailored suit, leading his octet through the glittering New York night atop Rockefeller Center. It's August of '67, and in the Rainbow Room, with it's cocktail-clinking ambiance, Duke and his select ensemble of veterans are reinventing the jazz vocabulary with every note.
In the late summer of 1947, the Hollywood Bowl set the stage for a night that would resonate through jazz history. Duke Ellington and his Orchestra, already legendary, performed under the stars in an electrifying display of jazz innovation and mastery. By this time, Ellington was much more than a celebrated composer and bandleader; he had emerged as a visionary force, weaving together musical forms to reshape jazz and extend it's reach. This album immortalizes that unforgettable night, capturing Ellington's orchestra at a moment when jazz was evolving into a sophisticated art form with Ellington at the helm.
In the vibrant landscape of jazz, two influential figures converge in an exhilarating performance at the Berlin Philharmonie. The Mingus Quintet Meets Cat Anderson captures not only the essence of music but also a moment where improvisation intersects with boundless creativity, offering listeners an immersive and engaging experience. This concert showcases how two musicians from distinct backgrounds can unite to forge something truly unique. Pioneering bassist and composer Charlie Mingus leads his ensemble through intricate arrangements, consistently allowing his musicians to express their individual voices. His compositions serve as a rich foundation for improvisation, showcasing both his inventive spirit and the brilliance of Cat Anderson, a trumpeter renowned for his extraordinary range and dynamic style, who brings his signature flair to the stage.
In the summer of 1947, Duke Ellington and his orchestra took the stage at the Hollywood Bowl, delivering a performance that embodied the genius and evolution of one of jazz's greatest innovators. By this point, Ellington was more than a composer and bandleader-he was a visionary, reshaping jazz and solidifying his legacy as one of America's most influential musicians. This album captures that electrifying night, showcasing Ellington's big band during a pivotal moment of transformation in jazz.
When Charles Mingus took the stage at Stuttgart's Liederhalle on April 28, 1964, the jazz world was undergoing a transformation-and Mingus was at the forefront. Known for his fiery creativity and defiance of convention, Mingus's performance that night, preserved on this recording, is a testament to his genius. With Eric Dolphy by his side, the group delivered a set that was both politically charged and musically adventurous.
The tenor saxophone has a magical way of telling stories, and few artists could weave a narrative as captivating as Stan Getz. With this exhilarating collection, we invite you to experience this fact first-hand, with two extraordinary performances that crystallize the essence of Getz's artistry at critical junctures in jazz history.
In the early 1960s, Dizzy Gillespie was at a pivotal moment in his career, actively blending the influence of bebop with his passion for orchestration, particularly through his collaborations with figures like Lalo Schifrin. This era saw Gillespie not only as an improvisational genius but also as a structured visionary, developing compositions that would push the boundaries of jazz into new harmonic and rhythmic territories. In this live Munich performance, Gillespie showcases his unique blend of musical education and humor-a balance only he could deliver with such ease. Here, the Dizzy Gillespie Quartet presents both well-known standards and unique arrangements with palpable energy and precision. Pieces like "Night in Tunisia" resonate with the complex and driving rhythms that became synonymous with Gillespie's style. This performance, unlike earlier versions, infuses the tune with the warmth and depth of years of refinement.
The summer of 1945 marked a key moment in Calloway's career, as he performed at Cafe Zanzibar, a jazz hotspot in New York City. The broadcasts from this period capture the essence of Calloway's artistry, featuring beloved classics and innovative arrangements. His renditions of tracks like "St. Louis Blues" and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby" showcase his flair for breathing new life into familiar material while pushing jazz's boundaries.
2 Disc Set. On a captivating night in April 1964, Stuttgart, Germany, became the epicentre of jazz innovation as Charles Mingus graced the stage with an ensemble of legendary talent. Known for his explosive creativity and magnetic presence, Mingus was not just a bassist; he was a revolutionary composer whose work shattered the conventional boundaries of jazz, crafting intricate narratives that spoke to the soul. As the lights dimmed, the audience was treated to a stellar lineup featuring the virtuosic Eric Dolphy on alto saxophone, flute, and bass clarinet. Dolphy's adventurous spirit wove seamlessly with Mingus's compositions, blending whimsy and urgency in a way that only he could. The powerful tenor saxophone of Clifford Jordan added depth, while Jaki Byard's piano work-rich and soulful-infused each piece with harmonic complexity. Holding it all together was the dynamic drumming of Dannie Richmond, Mingus's trusted collaborator, whose rhythmic inventiveness made every beat feel alive.
A decade after leaving Stan Kenton's band, trumpet virtuoso Maynard Ferguson was truly "ridin' high" as a solo artist. Released in 1966, Ridin' High (also known as Freaky) captures a pivotal moment in Ferguson's career during a turbulent time for big band jazz. While many ensembles were folding or turning to pop to survive, Ferguson was experimenting with new sounds. Recorded in 1967 and released on the Enterprise label, this album stands apart from his later work with his British band, offering a vintage, unique flavor. Ridin' High showcases a transitional phase, as Maynard navigated the challenges of the jazz scene before his move to England.
Turn It On! Is a jazz album by the legendary saxophonist Sonny Stitt. This album showcases Stitt's versatility as he delves into a more contemporary, electric jazz sound, blending elements of jazz with funk and soul influences that were popular in the early 1970s. On Turn It On!, Stitt plays both the alto and tenor saxophones, bringing his trademark bebop proficiency to a set of tracks characterized by groovy rhythms and electric instrumentation. The album features performances from a group of talented musicians, including Virgil Jones on trumpet, Leon Spencer on organ, Melvin Sparks on guitar, Idris Muhammad on drums, and Ron Carter on bass. This ensemble supports Stitt with a sound that is both grounded in jazz tradition and experimental in it's exploration of new musical directions. Stitt's saxophone takes center stage amidst the lush, groove-oriented backdrop provided by his bandmates. Turn It On! #represents a period in Stitt's career where he embraced the changing landscape of jazz, incorporating more modern sounds while still maintaining his bebop roots. Originally released in 1971 on Prestige Records, a label known for it's role in advancing jazz, and remastered and reissued here for 2024, Turn It On! Is a notable entry in Sonny Stitt's extensive discography, reflecting his adaptability and ongoing influence in the jazz world during a time of significant musical evolution.
Ju Ju Man (1976) showcases altoist Gary Bartz at his finest, delivering a mostly straight-ahead jazz session amidst a period of seeking commercial success in the late 70s. Teaming up with pianist Charles Mims, bassist Curtis Robertson, and drummer Howard King, Bartz crafts here a stimulating set that includes the standout Coltrane-inspired "Ju Ju Man". The album also features swinging tracks like "Straight Street" and "Pisces Daddy Blue," and rare solos on soprano and clarinet in "Chelsea Bridge". Remastered and reissued for 2024, this album solidified Bartz's reputation as a distinctive reedman, despite the rarity of original Catalyst label LPs.
The Condon Collection, compiled by Australian musician and leading piano roll authority Denis Condon, documents major classical composers including Claude Debussy, George Gershwin and Sergei Rachmaninoff performing their famous piano works using a form of music storage and playback technology that predates modern recording techniques. Recorded between 1905 and 1933, and capturing every nuance of each individual performance, this extensive archive faithfully reproduces the playing styles and techniques of these legendary musicians and offers a unique opportunity to experience these rare performances and historical treasures first-hand, while also serving as a comprehensive archive of the reproducing piano's unique musical legacy.
Harry James and His Orchestra, led by the renowned American trumpeter and bandleader Harry James, were prominent figures in the era of big band music. Active from the late 1930s to the 1980s, James, known for his virtuoso trumpet playing, led the ensemble with a focus on delivering powerful and energetic performances night after night. This focus is on full display here, with a collection of standout performances of classics including 'I Cover the Waterfront' and 'You Turned the Tables on Me', showcasing this orchestra's dynamic blend of swing, jazz, and danceable rhythms that are rich and vibrant reminders of a sound that became synonymous with the golden age of big band jazz.
There can be no argument among music aficionados around the world - Art Tatum was a bona fide genius when it came to jazz. Legally blind from birth but born to set the world alight, Tatum spent his life mastering the piano and proving his talent at every possible occasion. In this collection of rare performances, Art's crazy skills and 'Crazy Rhythm' are on full display with tracks including 'Fine and Dandy', 'Day in Day Out' and 'All God's Children Got Rhythm'.
