Keyboard Wizards of The Gershwin Era

Pauline Alpert - Keyboard Wizards Of The Gershwin Era - Volume I (1943-1944) {Pearl GEMM CD 9201 rel 1995}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 237 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 173 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 12 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1943-44, 1995 Pearl | GEMM CD 9201
Jazz / Classical / Pop / Piano

Pauline Alpert was known as a "whirlwind pianist" during the novelty era. She played within orchestras and as a solo artist. She also appeared in movies and videos, and was a contributing artist to many musical releases. Here is a wonderful variety of selections recorded by the phenomenal Pauline Alpert taken from her 1940's 78's. They are very finely remastered, and the overall quality is outstanding. A highly recommended CD by this artist.

Various Artists - Keyboard Wizards Of The Gershwin Era - Volume V (1912-28) {Pearl GEMM CD 9205 rel 1998}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 203 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 153 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 12 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1912-28, 1998 Pearl | GEMM CD 9205
Classical / Jazz / Vocal / Traditional Jazz / Pop / Piano

Keyboard Wizards Of The Gershwin Era Vol V - by Arndt / Banta / Bargy / Bernard / Bloom was released Jul 28, 1998 on the Pearl label. This Volume V in the series Keyboard Wizards Of The Gershwin Era was part of a seven-volume series released by Pearl from 1995 to 1998 and together provides a comprehensive history of that style of music second to none. The sound quality, considering the tracks date back close to 100 years, is surprisingly good and with this issue you get informative notes.

Zez Confrey - Keyboard Wizards Of The Gershwin Era - Volume IV (1921-1943) {Pearl GEMM CD 9204 rel 1998}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 213 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 165 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 11 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1921-43, 1998 Pearl | GEMM CD 9204
Jazz / Vocal / Traditional Jazz / Pop / Piano

This fourth volume in Pearl's series Keyboard Wizards of the Gershwin Era includes 26 tracks of piano-roll recordings by Zez Confrey, a gifted pianist with nimble fingers and a light touch. Barring the four versions of "Kitten on the Keys," the selections here – "Coaxin' the Piano," "Poor Buttermilk," "You Tell 'Em Ivories," "Mississippi Shivers," and "Charleston Chuckles" – will be unfamiliar to most. It's an enjoyable collection nevertheless, and a fascinating document from nearly a century ago.

Raie Da Costa - Keyboard Wizards Of The Gershwin Era - Volume VII (1928-1934) {Pearl GEMMCD 9207 rel 1998}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 187 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 177 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 13 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1928-34, 1998 Pearl | GEMM CD 9207
Classical / Jazz / Traditional Jazz / Pop / Piano

I have listened to portions of this disc hundreds of time on the drives to and from work. It's a marvelous audio-engineering feat, bringing to life the spirited and brilliant artistry of one of the greatest novelty pianists of all time. Dead in 1934 at the age of 29, Raie da Costa's recordings were preserved only on disc pressings, but the audio engineers have eliminated the surface noise as if there never had been any; as if death and 80+ years have not removed us from this remarkably able and engaging performer. Long live Raie!!! Raie da Costa was a fabulous pianist. What a pity she died so young.

Victor Arden & Phil Ohman - Keyboard Wizards Of The Gershwin Era - Volume III (1920-1935) {Pearl GEMM CD 9203 rel 1996}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 302 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 182 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 13 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1920-35, 1996 Pearl | GEMM CD 9203
Jazz / Classical / Pop / Piano

Keyboard Wizards III- Arden and Ohman is my favorite disc so far. The other two I own are vols. I and V which are also good but lack the variety Arden and Ohman possess. Vol. III's salient quality is the diversity of ensembles. Piano alone, big band and vocals all are featured which give it an edge over the other great discs. The music and piano work is certainly dated, reflecting the whimsical and seemingly care-free times of the late 1920s. If you are a musicologist or simply a fan of American music history, this album may be for you, too.

Various Artists - Keyboard Wizards Of The Gershwin Era - Volume VI (1922-34) {Pearl GEMMCD 9206 rel 1998}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 153 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 140 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 13 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1922-34, 1998 Pearl | GEMM CD 9206
Classical / Jazz / Traditional Jazz / Pop / Piano

This has to be one of the most brilliant piano collections ever. The whole Keyboard Wizards series is wonderful, but some of the tracks on this disc - notably the duet "Dizzy Fingers" - are jaw-droppingly stunning. As a longtime pianist myself, I can't imagine playing some of these works, and the remastered recordings are a national treasure. I hope the creating company keeps finding and releasing more! Another great audio-engineering feat by this label. Another disc that I have listened to dozens of time. My only suggestion would have been giving Constance Mering billing over Vee Lawnhurst as Constance's playing displays greater technique and artistic range.

Dana Suesse - Keyboard Wizards Of The Gershwin Era - Volume II (1940-1956) {Pearl GEMM CD 9202 rel 1996}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 136 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 130 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 12 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1940-56, 1996 Pearl | GEMM CD 9202
Jazz / Classical / Pop / Piano

It is a crime that these pieces are not better known. They are extraordinary, of great depth, truly beautiful, and highly addictive. That's all I have to say. Great music performed with gusto. Classical training and virtuosity is self evident. I enjoyed this CD very much. Composer and lyricist Dana Suesse was a child prodigy, giving her first concert, a Rachmaninoff prelude, at the age of nine. At 16 she moved to New York and began composing songs.