Pianist Kikoski returns to a piano trio setting for a collection of provocative, often unconventional, original compositions; features bassist John Patitucci & drummer Jeff "Twain" Watts.

With.. It Was Beauty, pianist Orrin Evans presents his seventh Criss Cross leader date, returning to the label for the first time since 2005. The title tells the story: On a reflective, immensely satisfying ten-piece program comprising mainly originals, the 36-year-old Evans-joined by bass titan Eric Revis and master drummer Donald Edwards, both partners of long standing-plays with old soul focus, presenting a deeply personal vision that privileges notions of dynamic contrast, immediately identifiable tonal identity, meaty harmonies, tension and release, and three-way conversation.

Countless gigs have come and gone for musical buddies David Hazeltine and Eric Alexander since the first volume of Blues Quarters (CRC 1188) came out in 1998, making this second edition an even stronger statement, with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Joe Farnsworth completing the line-up. Among an already fine set of originals are outstanding updates to the classics "Going Out of My Head" and "Unforgettable" with a Latin groove adding some extra spice.

Orrin Evans' sixth date as a leader for Criss Cross reunites the award-winning pianist and composer with his mentor and longtime colleague, saxophonist Ralph Bowen. The quartet session introduces five exciting new original compositions by the leader and reexamines three songs from his first two releases for the label. Tenor saxophonist J.D. Allen is added to the group on Evans' stirring of Horace Silvers' "Song for My Father." in the rhythm section bassist Mike Boone or Eric Revis, and drummer Rodney Green or Byron Landham.

I have always thought orchestra. I play that way, even when playing the piano. - Sun Ra Considering the monumental depth of Sun Ra's recorded oeuvre, there are surprisingly few solo piano albums. Monorails and Satellites Volumes 1 and 2 were the first commercial LPs of the artist's solo keyboard excursions. Recorded in 1966 and released on his Saturn imprint in 1968, Volume 1 featured seven idiosyncratic originals and one standard ("Easy Street") delivered in Sunny's singular manner. Volume 2 was released the following year, and contains five compositions, all originals. A third volume was prepped but shelved, and this deluxe edition marks it's premiere release. As with all Cosmic Myth releases these volumes are superbly mastered, and are available as a deluxe 2xCD or 3xLP tri-gatefold cover with copious liners notes by renown American jazz pianist Vijay Iyer, and additional overviews by jazz historian Ben Young and producer Irwin Chusid.

Pianist David Kikoski, who's partnered so ably on past Criss Cross albums with horn men like Alex Sipiagin, Seamus Blake, Conrad Herwig and Wycliffe Gordon, is perhaps best known for a series of compelling trio albums he's recorded for the label over the past decade. Now along comes Almost Standards, on which he mixes it up with bassist Eric Revis (Betty Carter, Louis Hayes, Billy Harper and a bunch of Marsalis family members), and much-in-demand drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts (Branford Marsalis), and an invigorating presence on two earlier Kikoski CDs. The new album's a mix of material serving as takeoff points this time out: harmonically intriguing tunes that are already standards or probably ought to be.

When it comes to New York's top-shelf gigs, few pianists get the job done like David Hazeltine. Much sought for his sensitivity as an accompanist, Hazeltine is also an inventive composer and arranger who is able to bring a fresh approach to the mainstream. For his eighth set as a leader for Criss Cross, the pianist brings his talents to the fore with three originals, including a dedicatory for Cedar. Rounding out the set are a few select standards including a new twist on Dizzy Gillespie's Tin Tin Deo. Longtime collaborators Eric Alexander (tenor sax), John Webber (bass), and Joe Farnsworth (drums) mix it up with expert vibist Steve Nelson for a colorful set that puts all of Hazeltine's wares on full display.

This is pianist David Kikoski's seventh and perhaps most ambitious recording for Criss Cross. Helping the leader navigate seven harmonically rich originals with melodies that stick are tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake, who performed on two previous Kikoski quartet sessions, and the incomparable bass-drum team of Larry Grenadier and Bill Stewart, each a musician with tonal personalities defined by limitless imagination. All are in peak form.

Since his first appearance on record (Randy Brecker's album, In the Idiom), pianist David Kikoski has demonstrated an infinite capacity to swing, a rare sensitivity as a ballad interpreter and genuine harmonic savvy as a composer. He delivers once again on all counts on Kayemode.

Two CDs. Sun Ra At The Showcase: Live In Chicago contains previously unissued live recordings of the legendary intergalactic composer/pianist Sun Ra captured live at Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase in Chicago, IL. Between 1976 and 1977. This is an official release on producer Zev Feldman's Jazz Detective record label, in partnership with Elemental Music, and in cooperation with the Sun Ra Trust. Researched and compiled by longtime Sun Ra archivist Michael D. Anderson, and transferred from the original tape reels. Liner notes by James Corbett, and interviews and statements from photographer Hal Rammel, Michael Weiss, Marhall Allen, Thurston Moore, Jack DeJohnette, David Murray, Dave Burrell, Matthew Shipp, Amina Claudine Myers, and Reggie Workman.

COLLEGE TOUR 1: COMPLETE NOTHING IS

\'Released in the early \'90s, Concert for the Comet Kohoutek captures a typically inspired night by Sun Ra & the Intergalactic Space Research Arkestra. Recorded in late 1973, on this date the Arkestra is guided by a musical theme composed around the idea of the Comet Kohoutek, which was passing close to Earth at the time. Typically, the release vaults between cosmic vocal songs that speak of Truth and other such brashly capitalized affairs (such as \'Astro Black\'), almost straight-ahead big-band jazz arrangements (\'Variations of Kohoutek Themes\'), and frighteningly evil free explorations (\'Journey Through the Outer Darkness\').\'-Jesse Jarnow, AMG Digitally remastered by Joe Phillips with brief liner notes by ESP label founder Bernard Stollman.\' Recorded live at Town Hall, NYC, on December 22, 1973.

Pianist & bassist in a duo setting, 7 tracks recorded in Toronto, 1983.

Jazz pianist Junior Mance made his first recording at age 19 in 1947 with Gene Ammons. Two years later he recorded with Lester Young and the following year with Sonny Stitt and Gene Ammons. In '53 Mance was the house pianist at Chicago's Beehive where he accompanied many greats including Charlie Parker and Coleman Hawkins. Mance made his first album as leader in '59 for Verve and hasn't stopped since. He now has over 50 albums as leader, the latest on his own JunGlo label from 2012 when he was 83 years young. Jubilation is from a 1994 solo piano concert in Toronto. 66 minutes includes "Autumn Leaves", "Georgia On My Mind", St. Louis Blues", "Birks Works", "Lover Man" and 10 more. (Previously deleted:6/1/09. Original release date: 11/15/96)

Pianist Junior Mance, bassist Don Thompson & drummer Archie Alleyne recorded live in 1997 at the Montreal Bistro & Jazz Club in Toronto, Canada - the set features improvised interpretations which are not part of his regular repertoire.

Recorded on July 9th, 1986, this 12 track album features the solo piano of Art Hodes and features the songs Glad to Be Here - Squeeze Me - 42nd Street - the Pearls - Summertime - How Long Blues - Beale Street Blues - Grandpa's Spells - St. James Infirmary - Sweet Georgia Brown - Tennessee Waltz.

2-CD set; solo pianist pays tribute to W.C. Handy, Hoagy Carmichael & Louis Armstrong; this package contains the 3 LP's "Hines Comes in Handy", "Hines Does Hoagy" & "My Tribute to Louis"

Junior Mance (piano); Martin Rivera (bass); Walter Bolden (drums). Recorded June, 1980 includes 3 bonus track alternate takes.

ETERNITY

For three decades Mike LeDonne has been an exceptional avatar of the Hammond B3 organ. Forged by his impressive jazz apprenticeship, with the likes of Milt Jackson, George Coleman and Benny Golson, LeDonne comes from a long and distinguished line of masters of that instrument. And for eighteen years, he's lead the Groover Quartet his formidable foursome consisting of tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, guitarist Peter Bernstein and drummer Joe Farnsworth. Joining the quartet is the great drummer Mike Clark. After collaborations with Herbie Hancock, Christian McBride, Nicholas Payton and others, Clark has influenced a generation of percussionists and brings his own unmistakable style to two tracks on the CD.

THAT FEELIN'

AWWLRIGHT

ON FIRE

E-BOP

Two CDs. Available for the very first time, the intergalactic icon Sun Ra and his Arkestra's Lights On A Satellite: Live At The Left Bank was recorded on July 23, 1978 at the Famous Ballroom in Baltimore, Maryland by the Left Bank Jazz Society.

The music on this recording is at once far-reaching and intimate. It has a quality enjoyed well beyond contemporary fans of this style of music, and yet this recording gives the listener the sense of being privy to a very precise moment in music history with Memphis Slim (1915-1988) as he plays piano. Slim (born Peter Chatman) grew up listening to his father perform blues in various venues in Memphis, Tennessee. He started performing around town at a young age before moving to Chicago at 25. He is accompanied on this album- the third of his four recordings for Folkways Records - by Arnold "Jump" Jackson (drums) and Arbee Stidham (guitar). The liner notes feature a biography of Slim by music critic Martin Williams.

Peter Chatman Jr.., aka Memphis Slim, stomps out a "progressive boogie and blues" on the piano. Self-taught in the honky-tonk juke joints of Tennessee, he produced some of the most powerful boogie-woogie out there, with an incessant bass like you wouldn't believe.

Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand) - solo piano.

World renowned Tony nominee, New York Cabaret Award "Best Jazz Vocalist" winner, and Theater World Award winner Ann Hampton Callaway delivers a must have not just for jazz and cabaret, but for lovers of great music the world over! Finding Beauty, a stirring collection of original compositions and collaborations by this brilliant Women Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee, overflows with warmth, passion and intimacy, revealing the inner feelings of this great artist!! Highlights include the joyous "The Moon Is A Kite," the uplifting duet with Kurt Elling "Love and Let Love," Ann's brilliant collab- oration with Tierney Sutton "You Can't Rush Spring," and much more

2018 release. World renowned Tony nominee, New York Cabaret Award "Best Jazz Vocalist" winner and Theater World Award winner Ann Hampton Callaway delivers a must have album. "Jazz Goes To The Movies is a spectacular collection of all-time great movie songs lovingly performed by Ann and her ensemble led by Ted Rosenthal, winner of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition." Jazz Goes To The Movies" conjures stirring images from the golden age of Hollywood. Highlights include the iconic "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca, Irving Berlin's immortal "Blue Skies" from The Jazz Singer, Jerome Kern's "The Way You Look Tonight" from Swing Time and many more movie classics!