Born in Defiance, OH in 1906 Wild Bill Davison is one of jazz's most colorful cornet players of all time. Davison is best known for his association with Eddie Condon lasting from the mid - '40s into the 1960s. Recorded in 1968 this session was the result of a live engagement at Toronto's Colonial Tavern. The players were put together to play one gig billed as The Jazz Giants. The response was so tumultuous that return engagements were booked and arrangements were made for this recording. With Benny Morton, Herb Hall, Claude Hopkins, Arvell Shaw, Buzzy Drootin. Contains a previously unissued piano feature on "Three Little Words" and an alternate take of "Black And Blue."

Don Menza is a powerful tenor saxophonist, with a dynamic and distinctive sound and style. Born in Buffalo, NY in 1936, Menza was with Maynard Ferguson's Orchestra (1960-1962) as both a soloist and an arranger. A short tenure with Stan Kenton preceded joining Buddy Rich's 1968 big band in the "jazz tenor" chair, recording the famous solo cadenza on "Channel 1 Suite" (Recorded "live" at Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas) that utilized circular breathing and has become known as a classic. He settled in California and has worked with Elvin Jones, Louie Bellson and as a long time member of The Tonight Show Band, with Johnny Carson.

New York's Kelly's Stables on 52nd Street was a hotbed of innovative musical ideas in the early 1940s. The Coleman Hawkins Band was extending the harmonic boundaries of the music in association with younger musicians laying the seeds of the bebop revolution. Dan Block (a NY tenor saxophonist and clarinetist) and guitarist Chris Flory spent 5 years researching the period in an attempt to find the connection points and transition from Swing to Bop. This recording, Almost Modern, is the musical result of their work, including tunes by Dexter Gordon, Coleman Hawkins, Don Byas, Illinois Jacquet, Dizzy Gillespie, Gil Fuller, Charlie Parker, Thelonius Monk and Sir Charles Thompson.

Debut performance of the trio recorded at Toronto's Old Mill Restaurant February, 2007. Gene DiNovi-Piano, Andrew Scott-Guitar and Dave Young-Bass.

This album was recorded in Toronto following a concert performance for the Classic Jazz Society. It showcases the brilliant piano work of David Boeddinghaus, along time resident of New Orleans, who works primarily as music director for Banu Gibson's Hot Jazz. His mastery of the classic piano styles (Morton, Waller and Wilson) are clearly evident here. Underpinning every selection is the classic New Orleans snare/bass drum centered percussion of Trevor Richards. Since studying with Zutty Singleton in the 1960s Trevor has led bands in New Orleans and other parts of the world. He often tours in Germany with trios stylistically similar to the music heard on this recording.

New Orleans, and it's music, has been in everyone's thoughts following the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina. This recording salutes the city and it's musical heritage with a program put together over 4 nights of performance at Toronto's Montreal Bistro. John Sheridan's elegant piano stylings laid down a harmonic carpet for the burnished brilliance of Barnard's cornet - deeply etched within the "hot" traditions of New Orleans. Everything is held together by the rhythmic sparkle of Don Vickery's drums. The program contains echoes of many facets of the city's musical traditions: The marching bands, the joyful exuberance of the city's good times as well as songs reflective of the city's more somber moments.

Andrew Scott's latest project for Sackville takes a fresh look at some of the classic bebop tunes of the 40s based upon the harmonies of popular songs. The quartet of Andrew Scott - guitar, Mark Eisenman - piano, Pat Collins - bass and Joel Haynes - drums are joined by Jon Erik-Kellso on trumpet and Don Block on tenor saxophone and clarinet. Tracks: Did You Call Her Today, Hot House, on a Misty Night, Vicky's Dream, Nostalgia, Junior's Soul, Quasimodo, Contrafact, Salute to the Bandbox. Recorded on June 5, 2008 at the Estonian Hall in Toronto.

This 10 track CD reissues recordings of solo piano performances made in the 1980s at Toronto's Cafe des Copains (Apr. 25th, 1984 and Jan. 9th, 1985), showcasing Harold Mabern's powerful style. Two selections, "Indian Summer" and "Manhattan," are issued here for the first time.

Rossano Sportiello command of the jazz language is complete, whether it's within the stride tradition or through the fluid harmonic concepts of beboppers and Bill Evans. Among those enthusiastic about his talents are Dan Barrett and Barry Harris. In the Dark was issued originally on Blue Swing Records in a limited edition with sales made at Rossano's performances. HIs musical profile continues to grow with appearances at major jazz events in Europe and the U.S.. His appearance at Blackpool's Swinging Jazz Party called upon him to match wits with both Dick Hymas and Houston Person.

One of jazz music's great comedians, Marty Grosz is a brilliant acoustic guitarist whose chordal solos bring back the sound of Carl Kress and Dick McDonough of the 1930s, while his vocals are very much in the Fats Waller tradition. The material on this 15 track CD was recorded in Germany on Nov. 19th, 2001 (one track was recorded Dec. 13th, 2000). Marty is joined by trumpeter Randy Reinhart, clarinet/saxophonist Frank Roberscheuten, bassist Nico Gastreich and drummer Moritz Gastreich.

The concept of this album was to get away from the contemporary stereotype where jazz is promoted as either "mood music" or "raw authenticity" - emphasis has been given to melody & a somewhat esoteric tune selection; Ingham's piano & celeste are accompanied by a loose, swinging rhythm section, plus trumpet & clarinet.

Cornet magician Bob Barnard and pianist Ralph Sutton present the music of Fats Waller on this 14 track album recorded at Paradise Studios in Sydney, Australia on April 21, 1999 (it was originally released in Australia on the La Brava label). The pair is joined by bassist Ed Gaston, drummer Len Barnard, and clarinetists Don Burrows and John McCarthy.

Geoff Keezer (Art Farmer, Slide Hampton, Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers+)-pno, Steve Nelson-vibes Neil Swaison-bs, live at Toronto's Montreal Bistro, 1993.

2-CD set from trombonist live at the Montreal Bistro in Toronto, feat. Alex Dean, Don Englert, Pat LaBarbera, Dave McMurdo, Mike Malone, Paul Novotny, Mark Promane, Terry Promane, Chase Sanborn +.

This 2-CD collection brings together three LPs from the 1970s which illustrate superbly the attributes of Jay McShann's piano stylings. "Tuxedo Junction," the title track, salutes Erskine Hawkins. Also recalled are Sir Charles Thompson and Illinois Jacquet ("Robbins Nest"), Mary Lou Williams ("Froggie Bottom"), Don Redman ("Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You") and Duke Ellington ("Do Nothing Until You Hear from Me"). This collection includes two previously unreleased vocal performances by Jay McShann of "Baby Won't You Please Come Home" and "Keep Your Hands Off Her."