Jim Mcneely

The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra continues the tradition of excellence that was the core ingredient when it began life as the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra during the 1960s. Now led by pianist/conductor/composer/arranger Jim McNeely, the band brings life to his stimulating charts with tight ensembles and strong solos throughout the session. The first track is a bit of a surprise, a breezy jazz setting of rocker Jimi Hendrix's "Up from the Skies" that is a good bit more harmonically adventurous than the original record.

Barefoot Dances and Other Visions is a seven-part suite composed in 2014 for the Frankfurt Radio Big Band. Each piece expresses a different kind of fantasy. We performed it live in two concerts in Frankfurt February ’14, then recorded it in the studio in September of that year.

Mel Lewis first teamed up with renowned trumpeter Thad Jones to form the band that later became the legendary Mel Lewis Orchestra. Brimming with some of the best players in the Big Apple, the band quickly found success. They also became the Monday night band at the world’s most famous jazz club, New York’s The Village Vanguard. With Jones’ departure in ’78, Mel took over as leader, shaping the band into “one of the most exciting and innovative big bands ever to grace the jazz scene”.

The Phil Woods Quintet shines on this collection of standards from the movies, but their fresh approach to each of these very familiar songs is what makes this release special.

The Phil Woods Quintet shines on this collection of standards from the movies, but their fresh approach to each of these very familiar songs is what makes this release special.

This enduring Stan Getz recording beautifully reveals the essence of one of jazz's eternal tenor saxophone masters. His inimitable melodicism, fluid virtuosity, seemingly infinite inventiveness and heartfelt lyricism are pure genius—or, quite simply, Pure Getz. The remarkable clarity and realism of this special SACD release virtually puts the listener right in the recording studio with Getz and his quartet.

This enduring Stan Getz recording beautifully reveals the essence of one of jazz's eternal tenor saxophone masters. His inimitable melodicism, fluid virtuosity, seemingly infinite inventiveness and heartfelt lyricism are pure genius—or, quite simply, Pure Getz. The remarkable clarity and realism of this special SACD release virtually puts the listener right in the recording studio with Getz and his quartet.

This enduring Stan Getz recording beautifully reveals the essence of one of jazz's eternal tenor saxophone masters. His inimitable melodicism, fluid virtuosity, seemingly infinite inventiveness and heartfelt lyricism are pure genius—or, quite simply, Pure Getz. The remarkable clarity and realism of this special SACD release virtually puts the listener right in the recording studio with Getz and his quartet.

A die-hard bopper, alto saxophonist Phil Woods nonetheless manages to push the boundaries of straight-ahead hard bop on Souvenirs. As far as the '90s go, this is one of Woods' best. This version of Woods' quintet, most notably featuring trumpeter Brian Lynch, is a solid entity with much forward momentum. Lynch, a member of Art Blakey's last Jazz Messengers lineup, is easily one the best trumpeters around, displaying a knack for interesting note choices and lines that border on the progressive. Woods sounds thoroughly engaged throughout, attacking each tune with his characteristic fire.