Masterclass Criss Voss

Celebrate the holidays with A Very Darren Crissmas! Darren Criss is a multitalented musician, songwriter, Broadway star, and Emmy/Golden Globe-winning actor famous for his award-winning roles on VERSACE: AMERICAN CRIME STORY, GLEE, and HOLLYWOOD. His holiday record with Decca Records will be his first full-length album. It showcases creative reimagining of classic tunes and rarely covered hidden gems. Featuring guest artists Lainey Wilson, Adam Lambert, and Evan Rachel Wood.

Imagine, you’re 15 years old living in Memphis, suddenly you move to L.A. and within 4 years you are playing alto sax in the Howard McGhee band with no less a jazz legend than Charlie Parker! Of course, Sonny was heavily influenced by “Bird” but that did not stop him from developing his own bluesy style of playing. It also did not stop him from drifting around the country playing in various R’n’B and jazz bands led by the likes of Johnny Otis, Stan Kenton and Billy Eckstine. Finally signed to R’n’B label Imperial in 1956, Sonny’s first album (and our first selection) Jazz U.S.A was considered “ a true underground classic of the hard bop era”. Musicians joining Sonny on our four selections include, Kenny Drew, Barney Kessel, Sonny Clark, Leroy Vinnegar and Wynton Kelly. Not a bad line up!

This double disc reissue on Blue Note contains the three releases that alto saxophonist Sonny Criss did for Imperial: Jazz U.S.A., Go Man!, and Plays Cole Porter. These sessions were all recorded in 1956 at a time when Criss had honed his amazing bebop alto precision. These 34 performances contain only five of his originals and are surrounded by mainly standards. The bands consisted of solid lineups with Sonny Clark or Kenny Drew on piano; Barney Kessel on guitar; Leroy Vinnegar, Buddy Clark or Bill Woodson on bass; Larry Bunker on vibes; and Larance Marable or Chuck Thompson taking care of drumming duties. While Criss had a career that erratically spanned the '70s, these Imperial sessions (reissued in glorious mono) contained highly regarded performances of passionate blues, moving ballads, and energetic up-tempo pieces.

At the peak of their popularity in 1978, Kiss decided to maximize their sales potential and exploit their loyal audience by having each member release a solo record on the same day. Instead of sending sales through the roof, it had the unexpected effect of stopping their momentum cold…