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AVID Jazz continues with its Four Classic album series with a re-mastered 2CD release of by or featuring bandleader, arranger and alto saxophonist Earl Bostic, complete with original artwork and liner notes. Earl Bostic is arguably now best remembered as one of the pioneers of the post war Rhythm & Blues movement of which he was a major player. His name would not necessarily jump out if you were asked to name ten of the best alto sax players ever. And yet he was up there amongst the best when he began his career back in the 1930’s firmly in the jazz tradition.

2011 two CD collection from the R&B trio featuring Jody Watley and Howard Hewett. Created by the producer and agent of US TV show Soul Train, Shalamar notched up a string of hits both sides of the Atlantic. The trio's catchy Motown inspired disco had a big impression on the UK charts throughout the late '70s and '80s. Regarded as fashion Icons and trendsetters their dance moves were a major influence on Michael Jackson, whilst their music helped soundtrack the '80s. Disc One contains all the hit singles while Disc Two showcases their best 12 inch mixes.

In this release AVID pay tribute to the recently departed harmonica player, guitarist and whistler and one of Belgium greatest exports (along with Jacques Brel, Django Reinhardt, Tin Tin and Hercule Poirot ), Toots Thielemans who died on August 22nd 2016. Starting out playing the accordion at age 3, Toots became attracted to jazz during the German occupation of Belgium in 1940. He began by teaching himself guitar listening to recordings by fellow Belgian, the extraordinary guitarist Django Reinhardt. By 1949 he was playing guitar in Paris with Sidney Bechet, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis.

All four of the classic albums featured in this slipcased, budget-priced box set were available separately on CD. They include: Jazz Giant, Swingin' the 20s, Sax à la Carter, and Aspects. Jazz Giant, an homage to the Kansas City sound, was recorded in two sessions during 1957 and 1958. The players include the leader alternating on alto and trumpet, tenorman Ben Webster, bassist Leroy Vinnegar, either Jimmy Rowles or André Previn on piano, Shelly Manne on drums, Frank Rosolino on trombone, and guitarist Barney Kessel.

AVID Jazz here presents four classic Flip Phillips albums plus including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered and low priced double CD. Here we feature four albums plus from clarinettist turned tenor saxophonist Flip Phillips, a stalwart of first the Woody Herman Herd and later as one of the mainstays of the Jazz At The Philharmonic line up with Norman Granz.

AVID Jazz here presents four classic Jimmy Rushing albums plus including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered and low priced double CD. “Jimmy Rushing And The Smith Girls”…………..Blues singer and shouter Jimmy Rushing opens our tribute set to him with his own tribute to four famous lady Smiths!!

AVID Jazz continues with its Four Classic album series with a re-mastered 2CD release by Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, complete with original artwork and liner notes. Born into a musical family in Rumson, New Jersey, Bill Finegan underwent a rigorous musical training from a young age and was so advanced that he was even teaching Nelson Riddle the mysteries of orchestration while they were still at school together! He began his illustrious career in the forties initially playing and then arranging for Glenn Miller before moving on to Tommy Dorsey for whom he arranged from 1942-1952.

AVID Jazz here presents four classic Johnny Hodges albums including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered and low priced double CD. “The Blues”…………For our second installment featuring classic Johnny Hodges’ albums we kick off with “Rabbit” and his Orchestra where he is joined by such luminaries as Ben Webster, Red Callender, Ray Brown, Lawrence Brown and Leroy Lovett. The Orchestra indeed has blues in mind during these dates from 1952 through 1954!

AVID Jazz here presents three classic Junior Mance albums including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered and low priced double CD. Welcome to the natural unforced piano stylings of Junior Mance. Recorded in New York in 1959 “Junior” finds Mance in the company of Lex Humphries on drums and the inimitable Ray Brown on bass. Junior has a new trio for the 1960 date “The Soulful Piano Of Junior Mance”.

AVID Jazz continues with its Four Classic album series with a re-mastered 2CD release by Manny Albam, complete with original artwork and liner notes. In his early days Manny Albam worked as an arranger with Charlie Spivak. As a writer he worked with Count Basie, Woody Herman and Stan Kenton. As a baritone sax player he worked with Georgie Auld, Muggsy Spanier, Charlie Barnet and Charlie Ventura. While with the Auld band he was mentored by arranger Budd Johnson which played a great part in launching his career.