3 CDS 1 DVD.

Classical Music

ONLY COMPLETE RECORDING. Sir Arthur Sullivan wrote his light opera Haddon Hall when he was at the height of his considerable creative powers. Despite his intention to turn away from writing "lighter" works so that he could concentrate on more serious fare, Sullivan's love of the good-life forced his return to the rather more lucrative stage of the Savoy Theatre, and the world of comic opera. Sydney Grundy presented him with a libretto based on an actual historical incident, namely the elopement of Dorothy Vernon, with her lover John Manners, from Haddon Hall, her ancestral home. The opera was completed and presented at the Savoy Theatre on 24th September 1892. The reception to Sullivan's music (though not the libretto!) was ecstatic. Bernard Shaw thought Haddon Hall to be the very best of the Savoy Operas, and for a while the piece beat even the Mikado in box office receipts. We hope that, after hearing this new recording, you will agree that Haddon Hall is an unjustly neglected work of great charm, fully worthy of Britain's most famous composer of the 19th century, Sir Arthur Sullivan.

In July 1990, Johnny Griffin, the legendary tenor saxophonist known as The Little Giant, electrified L�ngvinkeln Jazz Club in Helsingborg, Sweden. Accompanied by Danish musicians Thomas Clausen, Mads Vinding, and Svend-Erik N�rreg�rd, Griffin delivered a joyful night of jazz as only he could do it. This previously unreleased 6-track live recording will be released on Storyville Records on June 5, 2026, as Johnny Griffin & Thomas Clausen's Trio - Live in Helsingborg 1990. Griffin, who rose to prominence in the 1950s through his work with Art Blakey, Thelonious Monk, and his own explosive small groups, was widely regarded as one of the fastest and most inventive tenor saxophonists in jazz. Playing a lot at Jazzhus Montmartre in the 60's, he settled in France but continued to be in high demand in Scandinavia and all over Europe. This release continues Storyville Records' longstanding tradition of documenting major American jazz artists during their European years. Bassist Mads Vinding, a longtime collaborator, recalls the experience: "Johnny Griffin - no one sounded like him. The sound, the ideas, the power, the timing, the energy, the sensitivity, the stamina... He made the whole band sound like one unit. (...) It was very intense and such a joy playing with him, as you can hear on this live recording from 1990. No safety net, no restrictions - just the pure pleasure of playing together, inventing things on the fly." Jazz historian Jan Olsson adds: "Johnny Griffin, or The Little Giant as he was called, was a great and highly individual soloist. And I still remember from this extraordinary evening that we could hardly stop him from playing when it was time to close and say goodbye. The main reason was that he had been playing with one of the finest trios you could find in Europe at that time." The album features expansive performances that stretch familiar standards and Griffin originals into thrilling, unpredictable territory. On Just Friends, Griffin's tenor soars over the trio's accompaniment, moving seamlessly from lyrical passages to blistering runs. Blue Monk finds him exploring Thelonious Monk's iconic blues theme with playful inventiveness and rhythmic drive, while All The Things You Are showcases his ability to reshape familiar melodies with elegance and swing. On the original Call It What You Wanna, you just hear the pure Johnny Griffin sound. Johnny Griffin & Thomas Clausen's Trio - Live in Helsingborg 1990 is a rare opportunity to experience Johnny Griffin at his peak backed by Thomas Clausen's trio. You can hear why Johnny Griffin loved to play in Scandinavia, how he loved to play with Thomas Clausen and why he was such a popular figure in Denmark and Sweden for 40 years.

Gogol' great Russian classic is the Pickwick Papers of Russian Literature. It takes a sharp but humorous look at life in all it's strata, but especially the devious complexities in the country with it's landowners and serfs. We are introduced to Chichikov.

The legendary tenor saxophonist, Johnny Griffin's electrifying performance in Valencia, Spain in 1992 is set to be immortalized on the upcoming release, Live in Valencia 92 on June 7, 2024 on Storyville Records. Accompanied by an all-star trio with French pianist Herve Sellin, bassist Reggie Johnson and Doug Sides on drums, this recording, consisting of 6 tracks, is a chance to hear Johnny Griffin at his best, enjoying being out there live with an enthusiastic Spanish audience. The recording made in a defunct savings bank auditorium adorned with warm fabrics and wood accents, sounds great with it's cozy ambiance and impeccable acoustics. From the moment Griffin stepped onto the stage, his charisma was palpable, captivating audiences with his inimitable style, sense of humor and swing. Griff at his best! Live in Valencia 92 offers a glimpse into Griffin's artistry, showcasing a mastery of the tenor saxophone across a repertoire of standards by his favorite composers like Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk, but we also get The Cat, one of his own compositions and almost considered a theme Song for Johnny Griffin. Johnny Griffin loved the European way of living and the Europeans loved him back. He settled in France, but spent time in Amsterdam and Copenhagen as well. As Herve Sellin writes about playing jazz "we don't take it too seriously, but we do it very seriously". That was what Johnny Griffin was known for, A little giant making everybody have a good time. And that's exactly what you experience on this recording. Johnny Griffin (1928-2008) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist known for his blistering speed and technical prowess. A prolific performer and recording artist, Griffin's career spanned over six decades, during which he collaborated with some of the most prominent figures in jazz, including Art Blakey, Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane. This recording serves as a poignant reminder of Griffin's enduring impact on the jazz world. For jazz enthusiasts, Live in Valencia 92, is a must have addition to any collection, offering a glimpse into the brilliance of one of jazz music's true icons.

Teamed up with pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Niels Pedersen and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath for a club date at Copenhagen's Montmartre in 1967, the great tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin really stretches out on four numbers: "The Man I Love," "Hush-A-Bye," "Blues for Harvey" and a memorable version of "The Masquerade Is Over." Griffin shows why he was early on billed as "the world's fastest tenor" although he also displays warmth on "Sophisticated Lady." A fine example of Griffin's underrated talents. The album was remastered for vinyl from original analog tapes by Bernie Grundman, and pressed on audiophile-grade vinyl at Pallas Group in Germany.

Delmark Records were motivated to record this, their very first "jazz vocals" album after hearing Francine's outstanding singing talents - she has performed w. Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis & many others.

Blues For Harvey