Time On My Hands

Speechless

Live On Tour In The Far East, Vol. 1

BLEY/NHØP

This release compiles all known 1961 performances by the celebrated Ahmad Jamal Trio with Israel Crosby and Vernel Fournier at the pianist's own club, the Alhambra in Chicago. The Alhambra performances were originally issued on two LPs, Ahmad Jamal's Alhambra (Argo LPS-685), and All of You (Argo LPS-691). Four extra tunes from the engagement that were not issued on the original LPs have been added here, as well as two complete rarely heard sessions by the same trio recorded during the same period. This formation of the group wouldn't last long, as Israel Crosby died in mid-1962.

Part of Universal Japan's 'Everything Jazz - Vol. 2' reissue campaign. Features the high-fidelity UHQCD format. Green label coating. *UHQCD (Ultimate High Quality CD) is an upgraded version of HQCD, a high fidelity CD format developed by Memory-Tech. 2025.

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.

Spyro Gyra - Live In Leverkusen 2022 - This fantastic live album from the Leverkusen Jazz Days on November 7, 2022, features one of the most successful U.S. jazz fusion bands, Spyro Gyra. For Spyro Gyra's performance at the Leverkusen Jazz Days on November 7, 2022, the band's lineup consisted of Jay Beckenstein (saxophone), Tom Schuman (keyboards, piano), Julio Fernandez (guitars), Scott Ambush (bass), and Lionel Cordew (drums, percussion). "Art manifests itself in a variety of styles and contexts. That's why we started making music in the first place, " is Spyro Gyra's philosophy. And the band's live program that evening in Leverkusen was just as diverse, including their big hits "Shaker Song" and "Morning Dance.

ULTIMATE COLLECTION STEVE LAWRENCE / EYDI GORME The first track on this 4-CD set is "This Could Be the Start of Something Big," and it sure is: here, at last, is the Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme collection all of their fans have been waiting for, the biggest and (by far) best-sounding set ever devoted to the pair of legendary pop vocalists. Under the supervision of their son David Lawrence (who contributes a personal note to the booklet), we've gone back to the original tapes for most of these 72 tracks; some of these have never appeared on CD, and, with Eric Boulanger's new remastering, the ones that have come out sound much better than they did before. Disc One, "Duet Classics," features such career touchstones for the couple as "Baby It's Cold Outside," "For Once in Your Life," and "We Got Us." Disc Two, "Steve Classics," brings the hits with "Portrait of My Love," "Footsteps," and "Go Away Little Girl" along with such signature renditions as "I've Gotta Be Me" and "I Want to Be with You" and even an unreleased track, "You and I." Eydie takes over (and how!) on Disc Three with such smashes as "Blame It on the Bossa Nova," "What Did I Have That I Don't Have," "If He Walked into My Life," "Tonight I'll Say a Prayer, and her Spanish-language classic with Trio Los Panchos, "Sabor a Mi." And Disc Four revels in the duo's love of Broadway with songs like "Mama, A Rainbow," "The Ladies Who Lunch," "Two on the Aisle," and the uproarious "The Honeymoon Is Over." Like this collection, Joe Marchese's liner notes follow Steve and Eydie's career every step of the way, and we've included some rare photos courtesy of the estate. The ultimate collection indeed, the comprehensive, career-spanning collection these two icons have long deserved!

On Rick Braun Plays Chuck Mangione, Braun performs every track on the same Couesnon flugelhorn he played as a student at the Eastman School of Music and with the band Auracle-fitted with the cherished Giardinelli mouthpiece gifted to him by the legend himself during a meeting at the 2007 Long Beach Jazz Festival. The collection features an extraordinary roster of collaborators including original Mangione guitarist Grant Geissman, saxophonists Richard Elliot and Tom Scott, keyboardist Philippe Saisse, and flutist Steve Kujala.

Blessed with a captivating, richly sonorous singing voice, Japan-born, Seattle-based Valerie Joyce recorded two albums for audiophile label Chesky Records in the 2000s. The first of them, 2005's critically acclaimed New York Blue, featured the young singer supported by a crack Big Apple jazz band: formidable pianist Andy Ezrin, alternating bassists John Hebert and Tim Lefebvre, and drum stalwart Gene Jackson. They are augmented on some tracks by the veteran session musician Lawrence Feldman's smoky saxophone. Joyce's intriguing repertoire blends deft interpretations of well-known evergreens from The Great American Songbook ('Darn That Dream') with jazz standards (Miles Davis' 'Blue In Green'), jazz-tinged R&B ('Fever'), rock (Jimi Hendrix's 'Little Wing'), and pop (The Beatles' 'Golden Slumbers'). Bolstered with new liner notes featuring a recent interview with Valerie Joyce, New York Blue is reissued in 2026 as part of the Chesky Original Masters series on 180g One Step Pressing Vinyl LP and SACD Hybrid Stereo.

Swiss pianist and composer Sylvie Courvoisier has been a defining figure on the contemporary jazz scene for 20 years and is at the epicenter of the New York music scene. She was also recently awarded the prestigious Swiss Grand Prix Musik 2025. She now follows up on the acclaimed recent releases - her solo album To be Other-Wise, and the atmospherically multi-layered duo album Angel Falls with the legendary Wadada Leo Smith - with a live album from her much-lauded trio with bassist Drew Gress and drummer Kenny Wollesen. Recorded during a European tour in February 2025, the album presents the quintessence of this outstanding trio. With each concert, with each album, the trio's working method becomes more defined. In deep musical trust with each other, the three exceptional musicians celebrate a detailed and precise music that is both ambiguous and wide open. "And that's what this album shows now. This joy, diversity, subtlety, this desire. (...) Losing oneself in the music, the delicious moment that unfolds heavenly. But so cunning, so complex, so pointed, as only true virtuosos can be," writes Ulrich Stock in the liner notes.

A compilation of jazz hits including "The Way You Look Tonight", "Moondance", "Cheek To Cheek" and more; performed by legendary jazz musicians Beegie Adair, Jack Jezzro, Stephen Kummer, and more.

Falling in Love With Paul Desmond is part of RCA's mid-line Falling in Love With series, which focuses on romantic highlights from classic big-band, swing, and jazz artists. There aren't any risky choices on Desmond's volume, but that's fine, since each of the title's 11 cuts -- including "When Joanna Loved Me," "Body and Soul," "My Funny Valentine," "Embarcadero," and "Then I'll Be Tired of You" -- sustains a mellow, romantic mood. This record may not really be necessary, but for anyone looking for lovely, romantic music from Desmond, it's not a bad choice at all.

-- Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AllMusic.com

Personnel includes: Paul Desmond (alto saxophone); Albert Richman (French horn); Gene Bianco, Gloria Agostini (harp); Jim Hall (guitar); Eugene Wright, Gene Cherico, Milt Hinton (bass); Robert Thomas (drums, percussion); Connie Kay (drums).

Recorded at Webster Hall and RCA Studio A in New York, New York between 1962 and 1964. Includes liner notes by Joshua Sherman.

Digitally remastered by James Nichols (BMG Studios, New York, New York).

This is part of RCA Victor's Falling In Love With series.

Personnel: Paul Desmond (alto saxophone); Jim Hall (guitar); Gene Bianco, Gloria Agostini (harp); Al Richman (French horn); Robert Thomas (snare drum, percussion); Connie Kay (snare drum).

Liner Note Author: Joshua Sherman.

Recording information: RCA Studio A, New York, NY (1962-1964); Webster Hall, New York, NY (1962-1964).

ALL BLUES 40TH EDITION

Four-time Grammy Award nominee Scott Colley was first introduced to SteepleChase in 1994 as a young (30 at that time) and up-and-coming bassist of the Harold Danko Quartet. This is Colly’s SteepleChase debut leader album released on CD in 1997, which received numerous accolades from critics the world over. “Devoid of any grandiose ambition or ego-driven solos, This Place succeeds as illustrating Colley’s remarkable talents as a bassist and composer.” (John Murph – JazzTimes) “This Place is a hardy and no-holds-barred type of affair that speaks volumes for Colley’s aesthetics…. This Place will surely reward earnest and mindful listening with its adroit musical conversation.” (Chris Hovan – AAJ) 180g Audiophile Vinyl

The 180g VINYL release of this month Cherryco by Cornetist Kirk Knuffke stands out not only as a creative tribute album but also as the cornetist’s personal testimonial to the legendary Coleman-Cherry Quartet which was the epitome of 60’s avant-garde jazz. Despite generational differences Knuffke was in the inner circle of Ornette Coleman’s life in its later days. To quote from the article by Aidan Levy for JazzTimes – Lessons from Ornette - in 2019 Kirk remarks, “Just playing with him changed who I am and how I play. There was something about being so close to his sound that was really informative…” “Cherryco Is a tribute album in the truest sense. Kirk Knuffke walks a mile in Don Cherry’s shoes.” (Thomas Conrad – NYCJR) “… (Knuffke) puts the emphasis on ensemble interplay, forming an airy, malleable bond with his deft rhythm team while still uncorking one convincing and lyric solo after another. Cherryco feels like a love letter and it’s hard not to share in the ardor.” (Peter Margasak – DownBeat) 180g Audiophile Vinyl

Suburban Fantasies

Three

1978 was one of Duke Jordan’s most productive and artistically most fulfilling years. Jordan’s trio with Wilbur Little (bass) and Dannie Richmond (drums) made an extensive European tour that year. This is one of the live recordings from concerts at the Tivoli Gardens. “…The old bopper, Duke Jordan, is another pianist who is perhaps under-appreciated … this man could play and he still can. On Wait And See for SteepleChase, we have the quintessential version of Jordan’s classic along with a lot of fine, not-at-all dated bop lines by the pianist…” (Durham Morning Herald)

American trumpeter Red Rodney (1927-1994) came into the spotlight with his legendary firecracker pace and pitch late 40s and was hired by Charlie Parker to replace Miles Davis in his quintet (1949-1951). In spite of his turbulent life during the 60s and 70s Rodney made a comeback to the world scene in the 80s. For the interesting details, do read Chris Sheridan’s liner notes included in this release. This 1988 studio recording took place in Copenhagen, Denmark where he lived a couple of years. “...this excellent and restrained session will bring more accolades to this little giant of jazz, Red Rodney.” (Jazznews) “Here is one of the most listenable Red Rodney records to come along in years .... It is Rodney’s superbly lyrical work that makes this an essential record.” (Jazz Journal)

John McNeil (born March 23, 1948) is one of the most influential trumpeters today. Despite his debilitating health condition which he has been fighting all his life, McNeil has a fully active career both as performer and educator. Recorded during McNeil’s European tour in 1983 with a fellow American Doug Raney on guitar and the best Danish rhythm section at the time, this album caught the trumpeter at his top form. “…. He seems to have the trick of drawing the best from his sidemen ….” (Melody Maker) “… plays his horn with a soulfulness that is rarely heard these days. [His] poetic, dusky-toned trumpet is very close to song.” (Chicago Tribune) “McNeil's solos were by and large the most incisive features of the night.” (London Daily Mail)

Boulou Ferré (b. April 24, 1951 in Paris, France) is one of the greatest French contemporary virtuoso jazz guitarists of the manouche (gypsy jazz) tradition. He was awarded “Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” by the French Cultural Ministry in 2012. Together with his younger brother Elios Ferré, also a jazz guitarist, Boulou recorded seven albums for SteepleChase. This album was recorded live at “Slukefter” in Tivoli Gardens. “... In this duo acoustic guitar session, the brothers Ferré grab and hold attention ... they maintain a lively, imaginative interplay ... greatly extend the library for acoustic guitar. This is a worthy follow-up of their earlier album SCCD 31120 Pour Django.” (Ottawa Citizen, May 1, 1981) “…The Ferré trio’s performance is full of European flavour… their emotional play suits very well the tunes selected here…” (Okazaki, Swing Journal)

14.99

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