BYRON ALLEN TRIO

Bruce Barth, despite his professorship at Temple University, is no stodgy jazz egghead. He is a working musician with an abundance of technique, a seemingly bottomless well of ideas and is a composer of considerable skill with a contemporary and inventive approach, with many of the works here being Barth originals. Barth's solos are witty and insightful while his innate harmonic sense makes him a perfect accompanist when backing solos by others. Joining the front line is the masterful vibes player Steve Nelson, who always swings hard, but also manages to play with a soulful lyricism.

MAGICIAN

Young tenor sax genius is at it again with help from pianist Harold Mabern, Jim Rotundi on trumpet, John Webber on bass, George Fludas on drums & Steve Davis on trombone. (Previously deleted:11/1/07. Original release date:1/13/98)

MOVIN ON

W. Jim Beebe's Chicago Jazz.

1949 and '51 recordings featuring Sidney Bechet, Muggsey Spanier, Don Ewell, Doc Evans and Miff Mole. Jazz Ltd. Was a Jazz club located at 11 E. Grand owned and operated by Bill and Ruth Reinhardt from 1947 into the early '70s. Bill played clarinet and led the five-piece house band at a time when many of Jazz's first creators were still out there hustling gigs. This is pure swinging traditional Jazz (some call it Dixieland) played by the pros. Thirteen songs include Maryland My Maryland, Egyptian Fantasy, Tin Roof Blues, High Society, Wolverine Blues, Maple Leaf rag, Charleston, Careless Love, Washington & Lee Swing and more. Also features a wonderful five minute interview with Bill and Ruth. (Previously deleted:7/1/07. Original release date:11/14/94)

Doc Chetham-tpt & Sammy Price-pno, recorded Toronto 1976 & 1979, all selections previously issued on "Doc & Sammy" (3013), "Black Beauty" (3029), & "Sweet Substitute" (3024) LPs, 2 CD set.

JAZZ GIANTS

TRIO & DUET

The Alabama born saxophonist/clarinetist had a short lived career as a member of the sixties avant-garde but achieved legendary status for the company he kept in his Cooper Square loft where the likes of Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, Don Cherry, Archie Shepp, and Pharaoh Sanders often congregated. This debut date is best known for the presence of players, who like Watts, were to become renowned for the rareness of their recorded output, including Sonny Sharrock, Byard Lancaster, Clifford Thornton, Karl Berger and Henry Grimes.

TRIPLE PLAY

DREAMS & STORIES

Featuring a wonderful collection of piano blues performed by the finest keyboard artists on the HighNote & Savant rosters.

The last recording of Charles Earland shows that Earland was in fine fettle and expanding his musical horizons right up until the end. Featuring Melvin Sparks, Buddy Williams and Gary Fritz.

HOW ABOUT ME

SONG FOR THE NEW MAN

NEW HANG

SMOOTH SAILING

More than perhaps any other jazz vocalist the name Chris Connor is mentioned with an almost mystical reverence. From her stints with Claude Thronhill and Stan Kenton, through her illustrious solo career, to her most recent appearances and reocrdings on HighNote, Chris brings a lifetime of experience to every song she sings, making it not just a track on a record, but a commentary on life itself.

PROTOTYPE

SWEET LOVE OF MINE

JAZZ WITH GENTLE RHYTHMS / VARIOUS

UNDERGROUND MEMOIRS

The release of a Mark Murphy recording renders hyperbole superfluous. Other people have said it all: Murphy is "a hipster's hipster," writes the New York Post. Featuring his latest effort Links, Mark performs classic tunes and original lyricst and otehr adventurous choices make this mark's finest record to date.