Known by friends as Humph, trumpeter Humphrey Littleton was an English jazz musician who formed his first band in 1936 at the age of 15. He was inspired by Louis Armstrong who subsequently referred to Littleton as "that cat in England who swings his ass off." in the 50's Littleton shifted from New Orleans style Jazz to Swing Jazz and recorded with Buck Clayton. He remained active throughout his long life as a musician, record producer, broadcaster and cartoonist. This session was recorded in 1983 and features Humph on trumpet and clarinet with a Canadian band featuring Jim Galloway, soprano & baritone sax, clarinet; Ed Bickert, guitar; Neil Swanson, bass; Terry Clarke, drums.

Jazz trombonist Joseph Bowie was 22 years young when this live album was recorded. It was his second album and he was establishing his own name, his brother Lester Bowie was already internationally renowned. Shortly after Joseph would form Defunkt. Co-leader Oliver Lake also heralded from BAG, the St. Louis music collective. The extraordinary flutist/saxophonist would co-found The World Saxophone Quartet the year following this Toronto concert. "What Bowie and Lake played was an impassioned and demanding music of the moment that responded as much to what was written on their lead sheets or to their spontaneous concepts as it did to the ambiance of the moment." - Coda Magazine, June 1976

In 1976 George Lewis' association with Muhal Richard Abrams and the AACM led to recordings with Roscoe Mitchell, Anthony Braxton and a tour with Count Basie. Gradually his startling musicianship and the time-honored jazz virtues of a mellow tone and driving sense of rhythm, harnessed to a soaring imagination and technique became known to a growing number of listeners. Lewis came to play at A Space in Toronto his first solo concert and record this album. On "Toneburst (Piece for Three Trombones Simultaneously)", Lewis overdubbed all three trombone parts in the studio. The rest is solo.

This December 1977 recording features two of the most prominent AACM musicians, Roscoe Mitchell and Anthony Braxton. Mitchell's composition "run the gamut, beginning with the darkly gorgeous opener that features Braxton's contrabass clarinet nestling evocatively beneath the composer's earthy flute, Mitchell's other pieces investigate the sparer, more abstract realm, as the duo's wide variety of reeds populate the sonic environment with scattered moans, squeaks and pops. Overall, this is a fine meeting between two of the most forward-looking thinkers and players in the music. Recommended. " - Brian Olewnick, allmusic. Com Anthony Braxton also contributes three compositions.

The great Texas tenor delivers the goods on this 1978 quartet session featuring the same rhythm section of Wray Downes (piano), Dave Young (bass) and Pete Magadini (drums) that played with Don Menza on the reissue of Bones Blues (SAC 4004). Tate's first big break came in 1939 when at the age of 26 he joined the Count Basie band and took a killer solo on "Rock A Bye Basie". After ten years with Basie, Tate led his own band for a twenty-year stint at Harlem's Celebrity Club, toured Europe, made club appearances and numerous recordings. Remixed from the original analog tapes this is the first issue on CD of this album.

This 1981 date was the first of three albums by this truly all-star lineup of Buddy Tate (tenor sax, clarinet), Jim Galloway (soprano, tenor, baritone sax), Jay McShann (piano), Don Thompson (bass) and Terry Clarke (drums). "The music is at a high level throughout, though a trio of tunes from the vast band book of Duke Ellington, Mercer Ellington's "John Hardy's Wife," a strutting take of Johnny Hodges' "Good Queen Bees," and a gospel-flavored "Saturday Night Function" particularly stand out on this highly recommended disc." Ken Dryden, Also available: The Sackville All Stars Christmas Record (SAC 3038).

Jazz pianist Don Pullen was taken away from us way too soon. He passed at age 53 in 1995. He could play anything from blues to straight ahead to the outer regions of avant garde jazz. This is a re-issue of his 1975 Sackville album originally titled Solo Piano Album. The new title track is a dedication to Muhal Richard Abrams who made his recorded debut on Delmark. "Suite (Sweet) Malcolm (Part 1: Memories and Gunshots)" is for Malcolm X. "Big Alice" is a tour de force embedded with all of Pullen's gospel and soul roots. "Song Played backwards" is a song Pullen decided to play in reverse of the note sequence he had composed! Pullen's music is fierce and joyous and alive, and his presence abides in every note here.

Marty Grosz and Mike Peters recorded these duets informally over a seven year period. It is rare to hear Jazz guitarists performing duets on acoustic instruments and this collaboration is a tribute to Eddie Lang, Carl Kress and Dick McDonough. Such classics as Chicken a La Swing, Eddie's Twister, Danzon and Minuet in Miniature are given sensitive interpretations while the duo improvise on jazz material such as Jubilee, I've Found a New Baby, the Mooche and If Dreams Come True. 20 tracks total.

Formed in Seattle, in 1985, The Evergreen Classic Jazz Band plays lesser-known music of the '20s and '30s. For this album the band goes back even further in the teens, songs just about 100 years old. The ECJB has captured the style and essence of original performances, without rote replication. Reinterpretation of material originally done by larger groups is not easy, but the ECJB gets a big sound through fresh, distinctive voicings from the front line threesome, and tight, clear execution from the rhythm section. Leader Tom Jacobus plays some fine tuba and provides most of the musical arrangements.

In the spring of 1965 pianist Don Ewell began his four-week engagement in Toronto that lasted seven months. David Gillman, a jazz fan and one-time promoter, started hanging at the Golden Nugget and was reminded of another stride legend Willie "The Lion" Smith who he had presented in the '40s. Fast forward to '66, Gillman brings Ewell and Smith together for a Canadian TV filming. While in town the two jam together often at the Nugget and informal, live recordings are made (issued as Stride Piano Duets, DMK 249). The following year the two are brought together into a recording studio and this album is the astonishing result.

A Christmas album for all seasons! Ralph Sutton is one of the greatest stride and classic jazz pianists of all time. Milt Hinton became famous for "slapping" the bass and being the most recorded jazz musician appearing on well over 1,000 sessions. Gus Johnson also appeared on many sessions playing drums behind Coleman Hawkins, Count Basie, Jay McShann, Ralph Sutton and many more. Born in Scotland in 1936 soprano saxophonist Jim Galloway is the youngest of the band (by fourteen years!) and has been active on the Canadian jazz scene since the mid '60s. This 1986 recording is one of the best-selling and most popular jazz Christmas albums. And for good reason: these musicians are truly all stars!

Second release from all-stars gives nod to jazz great Ralph Sutton.

A solo concert from December 2007 at the Old Mill Inn in Toronto by virtuoso pianist Dick Hyman. Hyman has played with legends Benny Goodman, Charlie Parker and Red Norvo, he has scored Woody Allen films and made in depth tributes to Jelly Roll Morton, Bix Beiderbecke and Duke Ellington. 12 tracks: Ain't Misbehavin', I Can't Get Started, Stompin' at the Savoy, Have a Heart, Honeysuckle Rose, All the Things You Are, Undecided, Blackbird, Christopher Columbus, Ocean Languor, Pass It Along, the Man I Love.

With Muhal Richard Abrams George Lewis & Spencer Bare field. The album features AACM founder Muhal Richard Abrams on piano and newcomers (at the time) George Lewis on trombone (making his recording debut) and Detroit native Spencer Bare field on guitar. This new version of the album features over twenty minutes of additional previously unissued material.

An electrifying, solo laden big band, recorded liv at the Montreal Jazz Club, Toronto, April 1992.