A Night At Birdland

Once in a while, an album comes along to take your breath away. That is certainly the case with this boxed set, which contains no fewer than 25 CDs tracing the history of jazz piano from early 1899 to the end of 1958. Several years ago, the same record company issued a set ten CDs covering some of the same ground, but this expanded version is even more amazing.

Maynard Ferguson - The Complete Roulette Recordings Of The Maynard Ferguson Orchestra (1958-1962) {10CD Set Mosaic MD10-156}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 3.39 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 1.26 Gb
Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 35 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1958-62, 1994 Roulette / Mosaic Records / Capitol | MD10-156
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Trumpet

Trumpeter Maynard Ferguson led his greatest big band during the years that he was signed to Roulette and all of the music from his 13 Roulette LPs (plus 11 previously unissued selections) are included on this deluxe limited-edition ten-CD box set. Although three of the LPs were originally recorded as dance records (and stick close to the melodies), this box as a whole finds Maynard at his peak and with an orchestra that includes such talented soloists as trombonists Slide Hampton and Don Sebesky (both of whom contributed arrangements), altoist Lanny Morgan, the tenors of Carmen Leggio, Willie Maiden, Joe Farrell, and Don Menza, pianists Jaki Byard and Joe Zawinul, and drummer Rufus Jones in addition to the leader. The music is very jazz-oriented and contains more than its share of classic moments, particularly the sessions that resulted in A Message From Newport and Newport Suite. It's highly recommended.

Originally from Roseville, CA, Molly made her jazz vocal debut at the age of 11 with the Reynolds Brothers’ Rhythm Rascals at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee. Since moving to New York City in August of 2003, she has become one of the most sought-after vocalists on the New York jazz scene. She has performed alongside such prominent jazz artists as Randy Reinhart, Jon-Erik Kellso, Bria Skonberg, Dan Barrett, Mark Shane, Rossano Sportiello, as well as with the preeminent 1920s-style orchestra, Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks. She is a member of Gordon Au’s Grand Street Stompers, and appears on the band’s Christmas album, released in November 2012. Molly also performs periodically with the gypsy jazz group Fête Manouche and with James Langton’s New York All-Star Big Band, both of which spotlight her as rhythm guitarist as well as vocalist…

Count Basie - The Complete Roulette Live Recordings Of Count Basie and His Orchestra, 1959-1962 (1991) {8CD Set Mosaic MD8-135}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 3.14 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 1.24 Gb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 71 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1959-62, 1991 Mosaic Records | MD8-135
Jazz / Big Band / Swing

Count Basie defined the jazz meaning of swing. His band could get more bounce from a line that any other. And though his soloists were never of highest dazzle, they always fit the program. These live recordings from 1959, 1961 and 1962 capture the Count at his comfort. Mosaic has done its usual fine job with them on eight CDs. Roulette itself has reissued 12 of the cuts on a single CD entitled ``Basie in Sweden,`` for those who just want a taste.

Recorded "live" 12.09.1996 at Birdland (Hamburg).
Michael Naura (producer): "I have to admit it: I am a fan of Swing. Those concerts in which Armenian goatherders and a Berlin saxophonist throw phrases back and forth to each other, are alien to me. I feel closer to a trio of Hampton, Tatum and Rich. And my friend Wolfgang Schlueter (all of the world´s greatest vibraphonists shine through his playing, even Lionel Hampton) gives me the chance to answer the following "Tolstoy-esce" question: "How much Swing does jazz need?" The Swing Kings give the answer:
One day I announced: "OK, we’re off to the club "Birdland"! The NDR is making a recording there!" That was September 12, 1996. One of those nights! The trio was nostalgic to their finger tips…

Arguably never quite in the top league alongside the likes of Charlie Parker (his great influence), Lester Young, Benny Carter, Ben Webster and John Coltrane, nevertheless the great alto saxophonist Sonny Stitt is a welcome addition to our “classic album” series. Across four wonderfully diverse albums we find Sonny amongst four jazz quartets all discovering something new about each other along their musical journey. “Saxophone Supremacy” finds Sonny alongside Lou Levy on piano, Leroy Vinegar on bass and Mel Lewis on drums. For “Personal Appearance” he is joined by Bobby Timmins on piano, Edgar Willis on bass and Kenny Dennis on drums. “The Battle Of Birdland” recorded one Sunday night at New York’s famed Birdland club, Sonny teams up with fellow sax titan Eddie Davis for a supercharged blowing session alongside Doc Bagby and Charlie Rice…