Louis Armstrong was without question one of the most important artists in the development of jazz - his technical skill, his powerful presence and his improvisational genius was such that his peers rapidly recognised him as a model, and his work helped shape the way the language of jazz evolved over the years. From quite early in his career, from the late '30s onwards, he became an entertainer who transcended the genres, appearing in many films, and acquiring a role and relevance outside pure jazz, although his influence continued to pervade the way the music was performed, especially during the New Orleans revival of the '50s and '60s. This collection, however, focuses on that first key decade, when he helped shift the emphasis from collective improvisation to virtuoso solo performance simply through the power and quality of his contribution to the ensembles he played with and led. It includes some of his first recordings as part of the hugely important King Oliver Creole Jazz Band along with selected recordings with the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra and Clarence Williams' Blue Five, before drawing most particularly on his landmark recordings with his Hot Five and Hot Seven, which are such an important element of the entire jazz canon. The final section of the collection comprises recordings with his orchestra during the early '30s as he developed his technique further and established his role as a singer and entertainer as much as virtuoso trumpeter and cornettist. It's a great value 48-track 2-CD set at budget price, which provides an insight into a vital formative decade of jazz
On his 2019 album, Over The Rainbow, Herb Alpert began the same way he has done for all of his albums over the years: searching for great melodies. That search has resulted in the prolific trumpeter's latest offering, a collection of 11 classics and one brand new, original track. That original song, "Skinny Dip", opens the album with a quirky, fun vibe before things move on to recognizable tunes from the great American songbook, which are included for various reasons close to Herb's heart. He felt the danger in the tightrope walk of recording his own version of the iconic "Over The Rainbow", which was cemented within pop culture by Judy Garland's performance and many other fantastic recordings. And whether it's a tribute to Gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt on "All Love", Bill Withers on "Ain't No Sunshine", or the great Louis Armstrong on "What A Wonderful World", there is always a deeper connection and meaning for Herb on every cover selected for this album, making it one of the most personal projects he has ever worked on.
The third album from Beatles Jazz is consistent with their previous two. But this time the trio has enlisted help from some of jazz's big names, such as John Scofield, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker and Mike Stern. This album is full of musical virtuosity but remains true to the essence of each song.
2021 release from the iconic musician In the 2010s, Herb Alpert released a prolific run of eight new studio albums. This year, the iconic leader of the Tijuana Brass shows no signs of slowing down with his latest effort, Catch The Wind. This new collection features nine original compositions, covers of beloved Beatles hits "Eleanor Rigby" and "Yesterday", and American classics "Smile", "America The Beautiful", and "Summertime". So, charge up your iPhone, dust off your Hi-Fi, put batteries in your boombox, plug the headphones into your Walkman, and get ready to listen to Herb Alpert's Catch The Wind.
2019 archive release. Miles Davis shocked the music world in 1985 when he left Columbia Records after 30 years to join Warner Bros. Records. In October of that year, he began recording the album Rubberband in Los Angeles at Ameraycan Studios with producers Randy Hall and Zane Giles. The musical direction Davis was taking during the sessions marked a radical departure, with the inclusion of funk and soul grooves; with plans to feature guest vocalists Al Jarreau and Chaka Khan. Eventually, the album was shelved and Davis went on to record Tutu, leaving the Rubberband songs unheard and untouched for over 30 years. It was finished by the original producers Hall and Giles; with Davis' nephew, Vince Wilburn, Jr., who played drums on the original sessions for the album in 1985-86.
I remember the Great Unus of Ringling Brothers Circus placing a round glove on top of his upright cane-then proceeding to balance himself by standing on his forefinger. Of course that's the answer-it can't be done. Like the Great Unus, is this some kind of magician's trick Mr. Rich is putting on us? - that we really don't hear or see what we think we do? I recall standing with Shelly Manne and Bobby Rosengarden at the Nice Jazz Festival in 1978. We stood to the right side of the bandstand so Shelly and Bobby could watch Buddy's right foot! Just his right foot! After the set, they looked at each other in disbelief. It was obviously an illusion they had seen. During a Rich engagement in Los Angeles some years ago, twenty-two drummers were in the audience. At the conclusion of the "Channel One Suite" half of them were openly crying. One should not try to explain the magician's trick-once you know the modus of operandi, the thrill is gone. So keep your secrets, Buddy Rich, and let the audience forever be amazed and in wonderment of your art. The Great Unus may have retired, but Traps, the Drum Wonder makes US all believers. - Johnny Carson Includes: Machine, Best Coast, One O'Clock Jump, Sophisticated Lady, Norwegian Wood, Love for Sale, No Exit, Channel One Suite.
On March 3, 1978, Buddy Rich took one of the best bands he ever had (he called them the Killer Force) to a gig at a Sacramento high school. What was captured will make jazz fans flip: no producers, no set lists just electrifying jazz the way Buddy felt like playing it that night: Grand Concourse; Slow Funk; West Side Story Suite; Someday My Prince Will Come, and more!
Christian McBride solidifies his role as the champion of the past, present and future of jazz with his GRAMMY® Award-winning Big Band's new album in tribute to Jimmy Smith, Wes Montgomery and Oliver Nelson. Featuring special guests Joey DeFrancesco and Mark Whitfield, "For Jimmy, Wes and Oliver" honors the historical legacy of the jazz legends who shaped the soul of music for generations to come.
Born 25th August, 1925 in Montreal, Canada, Oscar Emmanuel Peterson grew up in Little Burgundy, a predominantly black neighbourhood in greater Quebec. He took up piano and trumpet at age five, quickly becoming adept on both instruments. At seven he was diagnosed with tuberculosis which prevented him from playing the trumpet, he thus concentrated on the piano during this time, practising four to six hours a day. Studying under the Hungarian-born player Paul de Marky - himself a student of virtuoso Istvan Thoman - the young Oscar began learning classical piano but later switched to jazz styles, most notably 'boogie-woogie'. By 1961, with the piano-bass-drums line up now firmly established, the OPT performed a week's residency at The London House, a renowned jazz spot in Chicago. These performances were among the finest the new line-up ever gave, and were released on Verve as four separate albums; The Trio, Something Warm, The Sound Of The Trio and Put On A Happy Face, in '61 and early '62. The following year, Peterson's most commercially successful record Night Train (Verve, 1963), was released, another Trio masterpiece that due to it's shorter track times, received considerable radio play. Oscar Peterson's extraordinary career spanned more than 60 years during which time he won eight Grammys among a host of other awards and honours, and played on over 200 albums. His live repertoire was equally impressive and the great man remains among the most respected jazz musicians of all time. This 4CD collection brings together eight of Oscar Peterson's finest albums, all recorded for the esteemed Verve label during his heyday in the late 1950s and early 1960s. A dynamic introduction to Peterson's best work, this box set equally serves as a welcome reminder for those already familiar.
This release collects the best soundtracks from the 30-year collaboration between jazz legends Benny Carter, Dizzy Gillespie and Quincy Jones and Academy Award winning animators John and Faith Hubley. The music (all previously unreleased material) is powerful, soaring and exciting jazz from the beat era through the exploratory '60s and funky '70s. 15 selections featuring performances by Lionel Hampton, Jean-Luc Ponty, Maynard Ferguson, Shelly Mann, Thad Jones and others, as well as vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater.
The third album from Fourplay (Lee Ritenour, Nathan East, Bob James, and Harvey Mason) is a lightly sauteed jazz offering, low-key and relaxed, bringing a sublime sense of form and interplay to the contemporary jazz genre. Vocals this time feature Phil Collins, Nathan East, Patti Austin and Peabo Bryson (the latter two on a smooth version of The Closer I Get to You). Phil Collins adds his special touch on the vocals of the track that he wrote, Why Can 't It Wait Till Morning, a poignant and beautiful song. Tracks in this album are a good mixture of upbeat and reflective. Ritenour's flexible guitar playing is one of the gems of the album, and this is the last album with him in the team. Elixir was the third gold album from Fourplay and it reached the number one position on Billboard's contemporary jazz chart and remained on the chart for more than 90 weeks.
The fourth studio album by the second great Miles Davis quintet (and the second recorded in 1967), Nefertiti marked yet another metamorphosis in Miles' career. Includes Fall; Hand Jive; Madness; Riot; Pinocchio, and the title track, plus alternate takes on Hand Jive; Madness, and Pinocchio.
Born September 23, 1926 John Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes and was at the forefront of free jazz. He led at least fifty recording sessions and appeared on many albums by other musicians, including trumpeter Miles Davis and pianist Thelonious Monk. Over the course of his career, Coltrane's music took on an increasingly spiritual dimension, as exemplified on his most acclaimed albums A Love Supreme (1965) and Ascension (1966). He remains one of the most influential saxophonists in music history. He received numerous posthumous awards, including a Pulitzer Prize in 2007, and was canonized by the African Orthodox Church. This extraordinary collection features eight of John Coltrane's most cherished and popular albums, all from the era when the great man's star shined brightest. A fine selection of his best ever work, all now housed on 4 CDs, this set will work equally well for new converts to Coltrane's music as it will as a welcome reminder for those already hooked
2021 release from the iconic musician In the 2010s, Herb Alpert released a prolific run of eight new studio albums. This year, the iconic leader of the Tijuana Brass shows no signs of slowing down with his latest effort, Catch The Wind. This new collection features nine original compositions, covers of beloved Beatles hits "Eleanor Rigby" and "Yesterday", and American classics "Smile", "America The Beautiful", and "Summertime". So, charge up your iPhone, dust off your Hi-Fi, put batteries in your boombox, plug the headphones into your Walkman, and get ready to listen to Herb Alpert's Catch The Wind.
The parallels of John Coltrane teaming up with Johnny Hartman in 1963 are strikingly similar and yet very different when compared to Kirk Whalums newest recording with his brother Kevin, ROMANCE LANGUAGE. Both are, we feel, among the most romantic jazz albums of their respective eras. Features special guest Hugh "Peanuts" Whalum.
This inventive post-bop treasure finds Miles totally reenergized by the young talent of his second quintet. His first album of new material in six years is a brilliantly excecuted exercise in tension and release! Includes Eighty-One; Little One; R.J.; Agitation; Iris; Mood, and the title track.
2010 from the acclaimed guitarist and vocalist. So Strong is simply put- so strong! The first single (and title track) already made an impact at Urban Adult Contemporary and is a marvelous, hip slice of his powerful vocals over an infectious, driving rhythm. Smooth Jazz radio gets a taste too with the Benson-esque "Make Room for Me" and the inspirational "You Got to Believe Something" is a musical credo that won't let you down. So Strong, we hope you will agree, isn't just worth the wait, it's worth the weight in soul.
In 2007, Jonathan Butler's career comes full circle as he returns to homeland South Africa, where he was the first non-white artist to be played on South African radio. An inspired and emotional concert performance, captured with exceptional audio quality on CD and DVD, JONATHAN BUTLER - LIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA, is a must have for old and new fans alike.
2010 two CD release from the Jazz saxophonist. Kirk Whalum elevates his award winning Gospel According to Jazz series to a new level with a live-recorded double CD set featuring the best in Contemporary Jazz, Gospel and Urban music. This effort, both visually and audibly, demonstrates the deep connections between Gospel and Jazz. It's revised renditions of commonly known tunes socially connect with the listener on a horizontal level that seeks to usher in a vertical spiritual relationship. Features guest appearances from George Duke, Lalah Hathaway, Doc Powell and others.
This package features stunningly remastered sound (even the earliest cuts from 1938 are hiss free, full-bodied and remarkably clear), along with a classy 16-page booklet with rare photos and detailed session liner notes. It's not the final word on the prolific and multi-talented musician who some consider the most influential jazzman ever, but is an excellent overall portrait of Satchmo, covering numerous highlights in the career of this legendary American artist. Hip-O. 2006.
Legendary saxophonist Kirk Whalum's new studio album, ROUNDTRIP, is a journey through the past, present, and future of his music - featuring new jazz compositions, Fresh re-imaginings of his career-defining hits, and a glimpse at his next innovative musical destination.
![For Jimmy, Wes and Oliver [2 LPs]](http://arkivmusic.com/cdn/shop/files/3823558-3392627.jpg?v=1788586142&width=400)
![For Jimmy, Wes and Oliver [2 LPs]](http://arkivmusic.com/cdn/shop/files/3823558-3392627.jpg?v=1788586142&width=800)
![For Jimmy, Wes and Oliver [2 LPs]](http://arkivmusic.com/cdn/shop/files/71ZWNDhP9TL.jpg?v=1788586142&width=800)
