Four Classic Albums

This 2-CD set presents the legendary valve trombonist acting as co-leader with Zoot Sims on the January 1956 album "Tonite's Music Today" and as leader of three separate studio groups on the self-titled "Brookmeyer" from October of the same year. He's leader of the BB Quartet on "The Blues - Hot and Cold" from June 1960, and finally shares leadership on "Stan Getz/Bob Brookmeyer" from September 1961.

Clarinetist, saxophonist, big band and dance band leader and composer Les Brown started his musical career with his own band, Les Brown & His Blue Devils in the early 1930’s before transforming the band into the now famous Band Of Renown in 1938. By 1945 the band had introduced Doris Day to the world via the hit song Sentimental Journey, and would go on to have another nine Number One hit songs. The Band Of Renown became a mainstay as the house band for Bob Hope during his radio, stage and TV show career. During one of the Hope shows Les Brown backed a new, unknown singer named Tony Bennett, and the rest of course is history! During a long career Les Brown played with all the greats including Sinatra, Ella and Nat King Cole.

Since his passing in 1987, Al Cohn has tended to be overlooked by jazz writers, though he developed a strong following among those who played with him, not only for his inventive tenor sax, but also his swinging originals and arrangements. This Avid two-CD set combines three of his albums in their entirety, a fourth where he appeared as a sideman with valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, and two bonus tracks. Mr. Music has been one of the harder releases to find, recorded over several days in late 1954, it features many of the top cool and swing stylists, including trumpeter Joe Newman, trombonist Billy Byers, alto saxophonists Gene Quill, Hal McKusick, guitarists Billy Bauer or Jimmy Raney, and two of the most in-demand rhythm section players, bassist Milt Hinton and drummer Osie Johnson…

Vibraphonist, Walt Dickerson crashed onto the jazz scene in the early 1960’s and by 1962 had won the Down Beat Critic’s Poll for Best Newcomer. By then he had recorded the four albums featured on our double CD. He would go on to make more classic albums in the mid-sixties before apparently leaving the jazz scene for a decade, returning again in 1975. Although considered a musician of the post-bop era, Walt Dickerson was one of the few vibraphonists playing in the emerging early free jazz scene. In fact if he hadn’t taken the time off he would probably be up there with the likes of the great Bobby Hutcherson who was considered the finest vibes player of his generation. Musicians joining Walt on our four selections include the great Andrew Hill on piano, Andrew Cyrille, Austin Crowe, George Tucker and Ahmed Abdul Malik.

Avid Jazz presents four classic Carmen McRae albums including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered and low priced double CD. “Torchy”; “After Glow”; “Mad About The Man” and “Birds Of A Feather”. By way of introduction to the release by our latest female artist, Carmen McRae, here is a quote from the original liner notes from “After Glow” the third selection in our four album, 2CD set. “Every so often the public is treated to an entertainer who is in some way special-not merely talented, but delightfully unusual. Lovely Carmen McRea is just such an entertainer. A vocal paradox, Carmen’s extraordinary voice is at once strong and confident, yet soft and tender”.Across these four releases you will witness not only the superb singing of the wonderful Ms. McRae but also her instrumental artistry. All four albums have been digitally re-mastered.

AVID Jazz here presents four classic Clark Terry related albums, including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered and low priced double CD. “Introducing Clark Terry”; The Dave Bailey Sextet-”One Foot In The Gutter”; “Clark Terry With Thelonious Monk” and Jimmy Hamilton’s- “It’s About Time”…

Avid Jazz here presents four classic Shorty Rogers albums including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered double CD. "The Big Shorty Rogers Express" (1956) - here we find the famed arranger and trumpeter Shorty Rogers moving away from the small group format and into the big band field. Shorty and his fellow musicians Art Pepper, Bud Shank, Jimmy Giuffre, Marty Paich to name but a few, bring a fresh West Coast spirit to the traditional big band swing ethic!
"Shorty Rogers & His Giants" 1953 - Shorty is once again joined by many fine players including Milt Bernhart on trombone, Hampton Hawes on piano, John Grass on French horn alongside stalwarts Art Pepper, Jimmy Giuffre, and Shelly Manne for a combination of swing and small group numbers…

Avid Jazz continues with its Four Classic album series with a re-mastered 2CD release by Ray Bryant, complete with original artwork and liner notes. “Ray Bryant Trio 1956”; “Alone With The Blues”; “Little Susie” and “Hollywood Jazz Beat”.
Born on Christmas Eve in Philadelphia, 1961, Ray Bryant began picking out tunes on the piano at the tender age of six. His mother, an accomplished pianist gave him his first lessons before he moved on to other teachers and finally joined the local musicians union at fourteen! He quickly became the house pianist at the Blue Note club in Philadelphia where he says he made more money than his piano teachers! Finally he headed out on tour with his trio supporting vocalist Carmen McCrea and in 1958 joined the Jo Jones Trio…