Nodern Jazz New Thing

Jazz at Preservation Hall: The Eureka Brass Band features New Orleans street parade jazz with bristling horns, sousaphone, and two marching drummers. Trumpeter Percy Humphrey leads an ensemble notable for the presence of saxophonist Emanuel Paul and Percy's brother, Willie, who blows some of the best clarinet he ever recorded. What makes this an unforgettable listening experience is the dual trombone action supplied by Albert Warner and Oscar "Chicken" Henry. Tailgate trombone is almost always fun, but these two seem to have discovered some sort of harmonic convergence, as two trombones, in unison glissando with a slight burr, deliver an almost intoxicating thrill. The best example of this effect occurs in "Take Your Burden to the Lord," while "Panama" allows the 'bones to interact with the saxophone in marvelous ways. A gem of an album, certainly among the finest extant examples of classic Crescent City jazz as played in the early '60s.

You have to admire New York Voices' diversity – this is a jazz vocal group that has embraced everything from modal post-bop and Brazilian jazz to Stevie Wonder pearls. And how many artists have devoted an entire album to jazz interpretations of Paul Simon tunes? Not everything the Voices have recorded is great, but more often than not, their sense of adventure and open-mindedness have served them well. After paying tribute to pop-rocker Simon in 1997, the Voices make big band music the main focus of Sing, Sing, Sing. This time, they are backed by a big band and turn their attention to gems associated with swing icons like Benny Goodman ("Sing, Sing, Sing," "Don't Be That Way"), Duke Ellington ("In A Mellow Tone"), Woody Herman ("Early Autumn"), and Artie Shaw ("Stardust"). Although many of these classics came out of the Swing Era, Sing, Sing, Sing also has its share of post-World War II gems. Ralph Burns' lovely "Early Autumn" is a gem that Herman recorded in 1948, when he was exploring bop with his Second Herd and the Four Brothers. And "Orange Colored Sky," which was a major hit for Nat "King" Cole in 1950, is quite relevant to the CD's big band theme because Cole recorded it with the Stan Kenton Orchestra.

Contrasts is a two-fer collection of work by pianist Marian McPartland featuring the albums Plays the Music of Alec Wilder and Marian and Jimmy McPartland: A Sentimental Journey. Showcasing the exquisite playing of the NPR jazz host, both albums are worth checking out. Disc one should appeal to longtime McPartland fans with the pianist working through the compositions of Alec Wilder in a straight-ahead trio style. Disc two, though, is the real revelation, with McPartland joining her cornetist/vocalist husband, Jimmy, and his New Orleans trad-style band for a live date. The music is much hotter than McPartland's solo work - she "comps" beautifully behind soloists - and it's a treat to hear her in this more bluesy, extroverted context.

Louis Armstrong - The Complete Town Hall Concert (1947) {2CD 2014 Japan Jazz Collection 1000 Columbia-RCA Series SICP 4005~6}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 346 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 189 Mb
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© 1947, 2014 RCA / Sony Music Japan | SICP 4005~6 | Mono
Jazz / Classic Jazz / Early Jazz / New Orleans Jazz / Swing

Reissue with latest 2014 DSD remastering. Comes with liner notes. One of the key turning points of Louis Armstrong's career occurred at the Town Hall concert fully documented on this two-CD set, a reissue of the earlier two-LP release. Armstrong, who had been leading a big band for 18 years, was showcased with some musical friends who were all very complementary players (including trombonist Jack Teagarden, clarinetist Peanuts Hucko and cornetist Bobby Hackett), and the results were so exciting that Armstrong soon broke up his orchestra to form a similar all-star sextet.

A wonderful gift for jazz fans has arrived from Venus Records! Nobody argues that Bill Charlap is one of the most preeminent jazz pianists of his generation. His encyclopedic knowledge of the American Songbook is second to none, and his beautiful touch, amazing skills and imagination make it a pleasure to listen to him at all times. Ken Peplowski, on the other hand, is without a doubt one of the best clarinet and tenor sax players in the swing tradition. Each of them had recorded a number of albums for Venus Records of Japan separately - Charlap with his great New York Trio (with Jay Leonhart and Bill Stewart) and Peplowski with his own quartet and the Eddie Higgins Quintet. Now, wouldn't it be nice to put them together in a studio and make an album? Yes, it would, and they actually did it…

Jensens New Orleans Jazzband - On The Bayou (1998) {Music Mecca CD 2067 2}
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© 1998 Music Mecca | CD 2067 - 2
Jazz / New Orleans Jazz / Continental Jazz

This is excellent Danish "New Orleans" trad jazz and it's live. JENSENS NewOrleans JAZZBAND is a bigger version of JENSENS jazz SERENADERS. It is a Danish New Orleans style band, very much influenced by musicians such as Bunk Johnson, George Lewis and Kid Thomas. The band is today one of the wellknown New Orleans jazzbands in Denmark with 13 CD releases and many tours in Europe.

Paul Barbarin & His Jazz Band / Punch Miller's Bunch & George Lewis - Jazz At Preservation Hall III (1962) {2013 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series 24bit}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 234 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 91 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 162 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit remaster
© 1962, 2013 Atlantic / Warner Japan / WEA / Rhino | WPCR-27392 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / New Orleans Jazz / Jazz Blues

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. Recorded with Punch Miller, this album offers a mixed bag featuring Paul Barbarin's Band/Punch Miller's Bunch & George Lewis (clarinet). It's worth acquiring for the Barbarin composition "The Second Line" alone, but offers much more.

Original Dixieland Jazz Band - The Complete Original Dixieland Jazz Band (1917-1936) {2CD Set RCA–BMG 66608-2 rel 1992}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 370 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 250 Mb
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© 1917-36, 1992 RCA / BMG | RCA 66608-2
Jazz / Dixieland / Early Jazz / New Orleans Jazz

This double-CD has all of the Victor recordings of the first jazz group to record, The Original Dixieland Jazz Band. The five-piece New Orleans band, which essentially stuck exclusively to ensembles, set the standard for 1917-21 jazz. Their "Livery Stable Blues" (which found the horns imitating barnyard animals) was a big hit, and The ODJB introduced such future Dixieland standards as "Original Dixieland One-Step," "At the Jazz Band Ball," "Fidgety Feet," "Sensation," "Clarinet Marmalade," "Jazz Me Blues," "Royal Garden Blues," and "Tiger Rag."

Kid Ory's Creole Jazz Band - The Legendary 'Kid' (1956) {Good Time Jazz Records GTCD12016-2 rel 1990}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 166 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 101 Mb
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© 1956, 1990 Good Time Jazz Records / Fantasy | GTCD 12016-2
Jazz / New Orleans Jazz / Trombone

One of trombonist Kid Ory's greatest recordings, this consistently exciting CD features trumpeter Alvin Alcorn, clarinetist Phil Gomez, and a strong rhythm section that includes bassist Wellman Braud and Ory's longtime drummer, Minor Hall. These versions of "Mahogany Hall Stomp," "There'll Be Some Changes Made," "At the Jazz Band Ball," and "Shine" are all gems, giving listeners some of the very best in New Orleans jazz and showing that the music need not be played haltingly by over-the-hill musicians; one can capture its spirit and joy without sacrificing musicianship. Every jazz collection should have this music.