Chicago jazz pianist plays a diverse program, from solo reflective pieces to burning bop to free jazz, feat. Roscoe Mitchell & one of the last sessions of the late Art Porter.

To paraphrase the old stock brokerage commercial: "When Anthony Braxton plays, people listen". And they have been doing so for decades, through dozens of recordings spanning an evolution that is remarkable for it's independence and virtuosity. Braxton's first two albums, "Three Compositions of New Jazz" (1968, DMK #415) and "For Alto" (1969, DMK #420) were released on Delmark, and it's only fitting that the present rare quartet version of his self-described "Ghost Trance Music" be released more than thirty years later on the same label. Features Anthony Braxton on woodwinds, Kevin Uehlinger on piano/melodica, Keith Witty on bass, and Noam Schatz on percussion.

William Hooker has been recognized as one of the most innovative musicians and drummers of his generation, leading a variety of ensembles within the worlds of free jazz, experimental, and new music. Hooker's prior collaborators range from avant garde jazz musicians to indie rock legends like Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth. On his latest work, "Symphonie of Flowers", Hooker weaves three sections into a whole, or a "symphonie" of sorts. As he says, "the piece begins and ends with the drum... my instrument. It's rhythm and variations of timbre are the stabilizing element."

Electric violinists Zach Brock and Tom Wright continue their groundbreaking musical exploration on High Voltage. Taking the violin ever farther toward it's possibilities as the ultimate jazz axe, their band, Common Ground, offers six original compositions and covers of two jazz classics, with a bold arrangement of "Freedom Jazz Dance" and closes with George Harrison's "Within You, Without You." Both violins are 5-string electrics, and the amplified sound is embraced for it's dynamic range and tonal freedom. A potent rhythm section drives the ensemble, with veteran bassist Mike Arnopol, versatile drummer Tom Hipskind, and a brilliant new pianist, Jordan Baskin. (Previously deleted:3/1/11. Original release date:5/17/05)

Baritone sax/flute player presents new original compositions featuring Marcus Belgrave-trumpet, Harold Mabern-piano, Eric Alexander/Lin Halliday-sax, John Ore-bass, Joe Farnsworth-drums.

The Bay City Jazz Band recorded two LPs for the Good Time Jazz label in the 1950s. That's the same label that issued Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band, the band that started the west coast traditional jazz revival scene and influenced numerous groups including the Bay City Jazz Band. Three original Bay City members are on board: Everett Farey on trumpet, John Boland on clarinet and Lloyd Byassee on drums. They are joined by Chicago area musicians Bob Neighbor on trumpet, Jim Snyder on trombone, John Cooper on piano, Jack Kuncl on banjo, Mike Walbridge on tuba and guest vocalist (on one song) Grana Louise. The band played on three consecutive nights prior to this recording, so they really swing.

Pianist's small band has a big band feel, feat. Norris Turney-alt sax, Sonny Cohn-tpt, Eddie Johnson-tnr sax +.

W. Dick Oxtot's group, late 50s, obscure clarinetist.

21 songs from the United label's alto sax great, inc. 14 cuts never before released, feat. Irving Woods, Charlie Wright, Robert Darby, Teddy Brannon, Lavern Dillon +.

with Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Leo Parker... The Apollo Series.

Thompson is joined by Billy Harper, Oliver Lake & Amiri Baraka - they have their origins in N.Y. in the fall of 1978 as part of the loft jazz scene - it contains mostly new original compositions + a 1993 performance w. Carter Jefferson & Joe Ford.

The drummer who played with Louis Armstrong, 19 piece big band w. Richie Corpolongo-tenor sax, Audrey Morrison-trombone.

W. Jimmy Forrest, Paul Bascomb, Doc Sausage + 1949-53.

His second album from 1969, "Young at Heart" is a solo piano free improvisation (30 min.), while "Wise in Time" is a quintet w. The first recording of Henry Threadgill, also feat. Leo Smith, Lester Lashley & Thurman Barker.

Ari carries on two traditions, the Chicago tough tenor tradition & the AACM tradition, melding them into his own voice on 8 original compositions.

Jazz pianist Jodie Christian is a Chicago legend. Performing nationally and internationally since 1948, he has led his own groups and performed with Lester Young, Johnny Griffin, Coleman Hawkins, Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt, Eddie Harris, Sonny Rollins, Roscoe Mitchell, and Jack DeJohnette. Originally released in 1994 this CD features Roscoe Mitchell, Art Porter, Paul McKeeLarry Gray, Ernie Adams, Vincent Davis, George Hughes, & special guest vocalist Francine Griffin. (Previously deleted:7/1/07. Original release date:5/20/94) "[A] highly eclectic set of standards and originals, integrating disparate sensibilities into a scintillating whole that argues against the compartmentalization of jazz better than any critic could." - 4 1/2 stars - Down Beat.

Veteran saxophonist/pianist of the Chicago avant garde scene with Kirk Brown-piano, Yosef Ben Israel- bass, Avreeayl Ra-drums.

Fleet facility on four horns and a pleasant voice equal a strongly swinging album by Betty O'Hara, a member of the all-woman big band Maiden Voyage and co-leader of the Jazz Birds female quintet. A woman for all sounds and tempos, she proves herself equally adept on trumpet, trombone. Double bell euphonium and flugelhorn, including several dubbed duets. Three vocals add another dimension, as do a pair of trio selections by pianist Johnny Varro, bassist Monty Corb and drummer Gene Estes. - JazzTimes. (Previously deleted:4/1/06. Original release date:3/22/95)

W. Ron Friedman & others.

The title refers to the first Chicago jazz clarinetist Volly DeFaut, a former member of the famous New Orleans Rhythm Kings, who also recorded with Jelly Roll Morton, Muggsy Spanier and the Gene Goldkette Orchestra. Russian-born jazz pianist Art Hodes is the leader for these 1972 recordings which also feature Truck Parham, bass; Barrett Deems, drums; and on two songs Nappy Trottier, trumpet and George Brunis, trombone. Volly DeFaut passed away in 1973 making these his very last recordings. (Previously deleted:12/1/04. Original release date:7/22/93)

Cecil Payne (Dizzy Gillespie, Tadd Dameron, J.J. Johnson, Illinois Jacquet, Randy Weston+)-bari sax & fl, w. Eric Alexander-ts, Harold Mabern-pno, John Ore-bs, Joe Farnsworth-dms, special guest Freddie Hubbard.

Alto sax man w. The Erskine Hawkins Alumni, Haywood Henry, Bob Range, Bobby Johnson, Sammy Lowe, Julian Dash, Duke Anderson, Leroy Kirkland, Lee Stanfield, Joe Murphy +.

Franz is one of the few active musicians who was there when jazz was an infant. He's been playing professionally for more than 70 years and is one of the great tenor sax players of all time. His clarinet skills are also tremendous - one night he filled in for George Lewis for a gig at Chicago's Red Arrow club which resulted in a ten year stint. Franz has worked with Roy Eldridge, Fats Waller, Fletcher Henderson, Cootie Williams. They have a large & loyal following all over the U.S. as a leading exponent of West Coast traditional jazz.

W. brother Von Freeman, produced by Michael Cuscuna, Dec. '93 release date.

Tenor saxophonist with pianist Varro's trio: Ray Leatherwood-bass & Gene Estes-drums.