Chick Corea: The Montreux Years showcases some of the legendary pianist's remarkable Montreux Jazz Festival live performances. The set includes brand new liner notes, as well as rare photos from his Montreux shows. Combos featured include Chick Corea Quartet, Chick Corea New Trio, Chick Corea Freedom Band, Chick Corea Akoustic Band, and Chick Corea Elektric Band, plus an appearance by The Bavarian Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra.

It is difficult for us to put recording works into words. We are not authors, critics or musicologists. Actually, we want to let the works speak. For us, certain things can only be expressed through music and sound art. Our work began 35 years ago with the label JMT and has been continued and expanded for the past 25 years under the label Winter & Winter. Anniversaries invite us to venture a kind of retrospective: Looking back towards the future" (we were inspired by the motto of the X Documenta). But it's not us who direct, it's the artists. They make their selection, determine the order of the music pieces and present their own choice: "My Choice." Guy Klucevsek opens the programme, followed month by month this year by further choices from Jim Black, Uri Caine, the tango musician Andr�s Linetzky to Aar�n Zapico and his baroque orchestra Forma Antiqva." (Mariko Takahashi and Stefan Winter)

Marcus Klossek is one of the growing number of guitarists who perform Jazz on a Fender Telecaster, the archetype of the electric guitar. A class of musicians that consists of many extraordinary artists; from Jimmy Bryant to Ed Bickert, Bill Frisell, Mike Stern, Jim Campilongo or Jakob Bro, just to name a few. An established name within the Berlin jazz scene who knows how to get to the point with his Electric Trio. A guitar, bass and drums; that's all it takes to make the songs of Marcus Klossek sound great! His brand new album "Time Was Now", the 8th release as a bandleader and the first one for Double Moon/Challenge Records, is another proof of exceptional storytelling composing skills which go far beyond the average guitar release. The Marcus Klossek Electric Trio has toured countless European clubs and festivals since releasing their first album "Now & Again" in 2012.

Ella Fitzgerald's Live At Montreux 1969 features the First Lady of Song backed by the Tommy Flanagan Trio performing a set combining contemporary tracks, such as "Sunshine Of Your Love" and "Hey Jude" alongside classics like "I Won't Dance," "That Old Black Magic," and a host of others. Available on CD for the first time. Frank de la Rosa - bass / Tommy Flanagan - piano / Ed Thigpen - Drums / Ella Fitzgerald - vocals

This new release features ten brand new compositions from Danish pianist Heine Hansen, performed by the Heine Hansen trio which includes bassist Thomas Fonnesbaek and drummer Alex Riel. The group's previous album, Signature, received glowing reviews by fans and critics, and this release is sure to be no different. "There is a particularly powerful grace in Heine Hansen's way of playing the piano.(...) The album here is Hansen's receipt for the much deserved Ben Webster award and it shows the pianist as we know him, as one who expresses himself equally convincing in all mainstream jazz forms, and as someone for whom every note has it's clear role to play in the music's figure." (Peter H. Larsen)

Bassist/Composer/Educator Jay Anderson (b. in California) is so much in demand that it is difficult to come up with any distinguished musicians who have not had Jay in their band for gigs and/or recordings. Here on his 92nd appearance on SteepleChase the label has the pleasure of showcasing Jay Anderson as the frontline soloist/leader. Anderson with dazzling ability to create musical landscape presents 11 tracks with diversity unified by the deep resonance of a double bass superior. “Mr. Anderson has a melodic sense that effectively shapes his solos and adds subtle touches to his accompaniments.” (John S. Wilson – New York Times) “…a most imaginative and sympathetic bassist.” (The Observer - UK)

2019 release. Life and Times is the highly anticipated follow up to the smooth jazz super chart topping More Serious Business - which included two #1 smooth jazz radio hit singles! Featuring three of the most important hit makers on the scene today: Jeff Lorber, Everett Harp and Paul Jackson, Jr. - artists and producers responsible for selling millions of albums and scoring close to 50 #1 Smooth Jazz radio hits! Highlights include the hit single, "Ready Freddie," the super funky, "Where You're At," the high-spirited romp "Exotic" and much more!

Momentum brings together 10 visually and sonically enticing tracks that invite to travel. Guitarist Julien Tassin is a prolific musician, whose music draws from his many influences and experiences from classical music to jazz. Getting out of his comfort zone and diving deep into an exploration of his instrument; the guitar - electric, harmonic, omnipresent - tells as many stories as there are tracks on the album.

The winner of Downbeat Magazine’s “Rising Star” critics poll 2015 cornetist and composer Kirk Knuffke is presenting here his interpretation of compositions by the two iconic practitioners of 60’s free jazz movement Don Cherry and Ornette Coleman. For Kirk – being identified himself with new jazz – who had known Coleman in his late years personally, this engaging tribute is an axiom. "One of modern jazz’s most skilled navigators of the divide between inside and outside, freedom and swing", he has "full command of his most demanding instrument…” – (All About Jazz)

Four CD set. Clamshell case with book. Released to celebrate tenor jazz saxophonist Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis' centennial, Cookin' with Jaws and the Queen showcases the influential soul-jazz partnership of Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and organist Shirley Scott. Bringing together the Prestige albums Smokin' and Cookbook, Vol. 1-3.

Influenced at a very early age by the music of the Middle East, trained in classical music and jazz, Omri Mor is a young virtuoso pianist with a flourishing style and multiple influences. Spotted very early in his career by Avishaï Cohen (double bass) who was impressed by Omri’s great knowledge of Arab-Andalusian, Chaabi and jazz, the music is sure to shine as this trio performs together on the biggest stages of Europe and the rest of the world in 2018. It is under the artistic direction of drummer / percussionist Karim Ziad that he records this first album "It's About Time!", surrounded by the exceptional line-up of Avishaï Cohen on the double bass, Michel Alibo on the electric bass and Karim Ziad on the drums. The repertoire is composed mainly of originals and displays the great talent of Omri Mor as a composer who also possesses an incredible sense of performance and melody. The piece "Marrakech" (Hamid Zahir) leads the listener to new lands and wild rhythms, giving his piano style a unique combination of swing and freedom.

Maciej Miecznikowski, a magnificent musician with a unique voice that sounds optimum in the Romantic repertoire, along with Krzysia G�rniak, well known jazz guitarist who brings a delicate approach to her virtuosity, bring us this musical tribute on the 50th anniversary of Nat King Cole's death. These unconventional arrangements make the great American Jazzer's hits sound fresh and alive. Featured tracks include Unforgettable, Route 66, and When I Fall In Love. This tribute feels intimate- a performance "close to the ear and brimming with emotion."

The celebrated New Orleans Jazz Orchestra examines and the profound relationship of its hometown to the nation of France with its release of Petite Fleur on Storyville Records. The second album under the artistic directorship of drummer Adonis Rose features ten songs, nine of them standards associated with French and New Orleans musicians. The tenth tune is an original by Cyrille Aimée, the acclaimed jazz vocalist born and raised in France but now living and working in The Big Easy itself.

Aimée is the NOJO’s collaborator and vocalist on the album. It was the singer who initiated the collaboration, telling Rose that she would like to work with the 18-piece big band and asking if he had any ideas for a project. “I said, ‘Well, okay, musically, how can I tell a story here?’” Rose recalls. “I thought about the long, shared history of those two places, and that became the concept. A narrative about the musical relationship between New Orleans and France.” The title tune, a standard by early jazz clarinet legend Sidney Bechet, epitomizes the concept: A composition by a New Orleans artist living in France, performed by a New Orleans band with a French vocalist. Composers from both sides of the Atlantic, from Michel Legrand to Jelly Roll Morton, get similar treatment. So do various New Orleanian styles, from a stomp (“Get the Bucket”) to a second line (“Down”) to Fats Domino-style rock ’n’ roll (“I Don’t Hurt Anymore”). In addition to being its spotlight vocalist, Aimée is also Petite Fleur’s featured soloist, applying her razor-sharp scat singing to “In the Land of Beginning Again,” “On a Clear Day,” and “Undecided.”

REVIEW:

Petite Fleur is essentially a meditation on the ties that bind Crescent City art to French culture. Teaming up for 10 songs that cross styles and oceans while exploring that particular connection, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and French vocalist Cyrille Aimée make a perfect match, united in the act of storytelling.

The album speaks to Artistic Director and drummer Adonis Rose’s sure-handed helming of the NOJO, the entire band roster’s contributions in part(s) and sum, Aimée’s well-documented gifts, and a shared vision that brings them all together.

-- JazzTimes (Dan Bilawsky)

Captain Coe’s Famous Racearound showcases the work of saxophonist Tony Coe, the first non-American to receive the jazz world's ultimate accolade - the Jazzpar Prize, occasionally known as the 'Jazz Nobel', which he was awarded in 1995. All tracks on this album were recorded during the JAZZPAR award concerts with both The Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra conducted by Bob Brookmeyer and the 1995 Jazzpar Combo. This remastered edition features redesigned artwork by the Danish star graphic artist Finn Nygaard, new liner notes by Brian Priestley and photos by Jan Persson.

Tony Coe wrote a substantial new work for the JAZZPAR award concerts and the complex “Captain Coe’s Famous Racearound”, according to its composer, was completed within a few days “in an atmosphere of white heat. The smallgroup set with the JAZZPAR Combo also includes a Coe composition featuring the excellent solo work of Bob Brookmeyer. “Edmundo” (formerly recorded as “Lagos” on Canterbury Song) was dedicated to the Latin-American bandleader Edmundo Ros, who was the drummer on Fats Waller’s London recordings but remembered by Tony for his “exhilarating and romantic Latin music and his warm personality coming over the air during my [World War II] childhood, when there was much stress and hardship in Britain”. Also heard are two pieces by London- and Paris based drummer Steve Argüelles. The first has Argüelles playing a musical box against which Tony builds a free improvisation, while “Antonia” is a ballad showcasing his warm soprano saxophone tone.

Trio 65 ½ was the trio that won all the jazz-competitions in the mid 60’s and were “talk of the town”. The three incredibly talented musicians listened to their idol, the pianist Bill Evans’ LP Trio 64 and halfway through 1965 Ole Streenberg came up with the name: Trio 65 ½. Ib Lund Nielsen wrote notable songs such as Bit og Juleballade, which still is remembered by the attending guests at one of the first “Jazz I Reprisen”-events in Holte in 1967. They are all to be found on this new release and as Kenneth Knudsen says: “It hits me, how tight it was. Jens Jorn Gjeldsted Ole Streenberg and I were young, around 20 years old. And unexperienced. Ib Lund Nielsen was a bit older and with some experience from other groups. When we, quite randomly, met each other, it did not take long for us to realize that we shared a mutual pulse, a comfort – a faith, that the music stood by itself. It was new and weirdly wordless. We didn’t even know how special it was, because we were completely focused on creative development. And the problems and challenges that come with it. I myself was equally drawn towards fixing and tearing apart. But looking back, with so much experienced, so much played and heard, it’s clear to me, that this collaboration was the ‘approach to the music´. This feeling of approach that I think everyone experiences at some point – I hope."

Great Women Of Song: Nina Simone - Throughout her career, Nina's music has inspired audiences of all ages, races, and nationalities. In recent years, social media savvy youth have taken a particular interest in the works of Miss Simone. From the evergreen, feel good track aptly named "Feeling Good" to the mysteriously romantic remake of "I Put A Spell On You" and so many more, Nina's music is being used in everything from major brand commercials to the everyday user on social networks to convey a feeling and a mood. - Created with the newest generation of Nina Simone fans in mind, Great Women of Song, features the best of the best. Miss Simone's most loved and notable hits assembled in one package. The album is the gift that will keep on giving. 2023 collection.

Sharon Paige broke into show business in her teens as a singing and dancing chorus girl and moved quickly to featured roles. She has traveled throughout the United States and Canada, performing in the national companies of Broadway and Off Broadway musicals. Sharon has also toured the summer-tent, dinner-theater and nightclub circuits. In 2008, she and Keith Ingham released their Ned Washington tribute album, Love Is the Thing; Burke Beautiful is their second collaboration. Sharon currently resides and sings in New York City. Keith Ingham has recorded extensively and worked with Benny Goodman and other bands. He wrote the arrangements and led an all-star group of musicians on three notable Maxine Sullivan recordings for Harbinger Records. The first, “Maxine Sullivan Sings Great Songs from the Cotton Club by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler,” was nominated for a Grammy Award. He and Maxine also collaborate on Harbinger albums devoted to the music of Jule Styne and burton Lane. Keith was also arranger and leader on the classic Peggy Lee recording, “Love Held Lightly,” also for Harbinger Records. Johnny Burke was one of America’s greatest composer/lyricists. He enjoyed a long collaboration with James V. Monaco and then Jimmy McHugh writing songs for films, shows, and such singers as Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.

NYC-based saxophonist/composer Adam Niewood was born into a musical pedigree with jazz saxophonist father and classical pianist mother. The composer of the tunes recorded here is Adam’s father, Gerry Niewood who rose to his fame in the 70s and had achieved a successful career until his untimely death 10 years ago. Adam with his dream rhythm section dedicates this album to his father. ”… craftsmanship and attention to detail is also evident in his music. Adam Niewood has a distinctly powerful, supple and soulfully intelligent presence.” (Mark F. Turner – AAJ)

Two CD set. 2023 release from Grammy winning singer/songwriter, author, and musician Matthew West. releases his first-ever double-disc album titled My Story Your Glory features the fan favorite "Me On Your Mind", which spent 6 weeks atop the National Christian Audience Chart in 2022. "Most of you know me for the stories I share about myself and others who grant me the privilege of sharing their stories. The first part of this album, My Story, is a collection of those personal songs that show how God is working in our everyday lives. Part two, Your Glory, is the first full set of vertical, worship songs that I have written for one of my records. Both parts comprise My Story Your Glory." - Matthew West 'My Story' features the recently released title track "My Story Your Glory" as well as the heart-felt "Before You Ask Her," and "Wonderful Life". On the 'Your Glory' side, Matthew lifts up his hands and heart in worship on "You Changed My Name" and is joined by Jenn Johnson of Bethel Music on "I Trust Jesus (feat. Jenn Johnson)" and by David Leonard on "Maker (feat. David Leonard)".

Bands that are led by drummers are not as seldom as they once were, but still a somewhat rare affair. The quartet of drummer Christian Krischkowskyis already presenting its second album “The End of Melancholism” and illustrates the advantages of such an approach in nine pieces, seven of which are from Krischkowsky's pen. Pieces like “Would You Dance With Me?” or “Football Evolution” sound rhythmically challenging, without deliberately placing the drums in the foreground. “I wanted to incorporate the rhythmic ideas that I developed on drums even more into my compositions,” Krischkowsky said. “When composing, however, I always had my co-musicians with whom I recorded the album in mind.” And they are really something else! Peter Ehwald is a saxophonist who always goes his own way, but at the same time has outstanding qualities in interaction. “Peter is very freedom-loving,” the band leader stated. "He repeatedly makes suggestions to modify fixed structures, which may sound too beautiful, and improvise to make them more his own. This makes the pieces more spirited, more unpredictable and freer. This also reflects his personality. "Marc Schmolling is a pianist with whom Christian Krischkowsky has almost blind understanding. “I've known Marc the longest, and he's actually responsible for the band members coming together,” he confessed. "I appreciate his humor and admire how deeply he is rooted in tradition. At the same time, he also has something unwieldy and unpredictable in his play. Sometimes it sounds a bit cumbersome, but that is also exactly what constitutes his own style. ”Roland Fidezius on bass is responsible for the maneuverability of the quartet. He is closely intertwined with Krischkowsky's playing, but also keeps making surprising twists.

Remastered from the original analog tape mixes and presented with their original, iconic artwork!

Remastered from the original analog tape mixes and presented with their original, iconic artwork!

!!Going Places!! is the fifth album by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass and, along with their prior album, Whipped Cream and Other Delights, is one of their most popular releases. It was released by A&M Records on all formats: LP, 8-track, cassette, open reel and eventually CD, and was reissued in 2005 by the Shout!Factory label as part of the Herb Alpert Signature Series. The song "Spanish Flea", composed by Alpert's friend and fellow mariachi band leader Julius Wechter, was one of several Brass tunes that saw regular use on "The Dating Game". - The single version of "Tijuana Taxi" had more of the bicycle-horn sound effects than the album version did. "Tijuana Taxi" and "Spanish Flea" would both be reprised as part of the "Carmen" medley in Herb Alpert's Ninth. The B-side of the "Taxi" single, "Zorba the Greek", was edited for length and had live-concert sound effects added. Remastered from the original analog tape mixes and presented with their original, iconic artwork!

DHD presents a very energetic show loaded with improvisation, joy, and a lot of groove. The group is in constant search for that distinctive sound that reflects the depth of Afro-Cuban rhythms as well as the beauty of the harmonies and colors that come from jazz. All this constitutes a mix of flavors and experiences with which they try to transport the listener to a supernatural dimension. Their repertoire consists mostly out of original compositions, but also a few Jazz and Latin classics which they arrange in their own way. Established in 2015, the band has appeared at the prestigious North Sea Jazz Festival and has toured around Spain and the Netherlands. In March 2018 the band won the jury award and the public prize at the Leiden Jazz Award 2018 and the best soloist prize at the Erasmus Jazz competition. The group writes: "With this album, we are trying to expand the boundaries of Latin jazz by using influences like modern jazz, odd meters and classical music. The compositions tell a broad storyline, and they take the listener on a journey where playful melodies come and go. We like to use rhythm and polyrhythms to play with the listener's ear, and to express our interpretation of the music. Abriendo Camino means opening the path or leading the way in Spanish. This album represents the break of a new force, a strong one, full of colors, joy, and love..."

Almost three centuries ago, in 1723, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) finished writing his Two-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786. Designed for the education of his son Wilhelm Friedemann, these fifteen works explore contrapuntal writing and a variety of different dance styles. Then as now, musicians learned their trade by mastering performance technique and the idiomatic characteristics of their instrument. On this album, pianist Moisés P. Sánchez reinvents this extraordinary set of pieces by employing Bachian principles: reworking on well-known works to translate them into a modern idiom, while retaining their essence. Commissioned by the Fundación Juan March, this project harks back to the original spirit of Bach's Inventions, taking a creative idea and reimagining it in order to stimulate the musical imagination and seduce the listener with new sonorities.