Phil Markowitz

The iconic jazz trumpeter and vocalist Chet Baker, one of the true greats in jazz, recorded live at the legendary Hamburg venue Onkel Pö's Carnegie Hall in 1979. Baker's music here is crystal clear, powerful, compact and focused. Eloquently he tells the story of the compositions he selected for that evening; just ¬five pieces for 100 minutes - Cole Porter's standard "Love for Sale" as an opener, interpreted in a slightly rocky way, then the empathic fable "You Can't Go Home Again" by Don Sebesky, followed by "There'll Never Be Another You" by Harry Warren as a showcase for Baker's unique, fragile and yet seductive scat, as well as two true highlights: "Black Eyes" by Wayne Shorter and "Broken Wing" by Richie Beirach. Chet Baker himself never composed a song - but like no other, he was able to absorb and understand the best music ideas of his contemporaries. Three excellent musicians accompanied Baker on the tour: Phil Markovitz from New York on the piano and the Belgian bassist Jean-Louis Rassinfosse, the trio was completed by the drummer Charlie Rice, from Philadelphia.

Blue Room: The 1979 Vara Studio Sessions in Holland spotlights the unexpected magic trumpeter/vocalist Chet Baker could conjure during the last decade of his life. Having achieved stardom on the West Coast in the '50s, Baker spent much of his career, from the '60s until his death in 1989, living and performing in Europe where his drug addiction and itinerant lifestyle were never as much of a barrier to getting work. Recorded in the Netherlands on two separate dates in 1979, the Blue Room sessions find Baker digging into some of his favorite standards, as well as a few unexpected song choices. The first session features one of his touring lineups of the period with pianist Phil Markowitz, bassist Jean-Louis Rassinfosse, and drummer Charles Rice. This is the more cohesive of the sessions, as Baker offers warm takes of some of favorite standards, including "Oh, You Crazy Moon" and "The Best Thing for You," both of which he had just recorded on his classic 1977 comeback album You Can't Go Home Again.

German B-3 player Jermaine Landsberger has brought a new freshness to the jazz organ. This all star session features a rare appearance by Pat Martino. "In the evolution of any instrument, there's only a handful who are really innovative. This guy's one of them. Jermaine Landsberger is a formidable artist, a master with the flame!" – Pat Martino

A true virtuoso of the saxophone, Nick won the Keilwerth International Saxophone Idol Competition in 2014. His stunning command of the alto saxophone is on full display on his debut release "Vagabond Soul," as well as his distinct compositional voice. Drawing from an eclectic variety of genre-spanning inspirations, Biello spins a unique and fresh sound that is all his own, communicating deeply personal stories through a sophisticated set of modern jazz. Featuring standout performances by the venerable masters Phil Markowitz (piano), John Benitez (bass), and Clarence Penn (drums), as well as rising stars Paul Jones (tenor saxophone) and Andrew Renfroe (guitar) and special guest Vincent Lionti (viola).

"Love for Sale", recorded live at Montreal’s Rising Sun Celebrity Club in 1978, provides an unexpurgated glimpse into the musical reality of Chet Baker’s last years; a life on the move from club to club across North America and Europe…

New Orleans has produced a bumper crop of notable pianists over its long and storied history Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Allen Toussaint, James Booker, Dr. John, Ellis Marsalis, Henry Butler, Harry Connick, Jr., Jon Batiste and it's not done yet. Sullivan Fortner, a twenty-eight year old piano phenom who's been a hot topic since receiving the American Pianists Association's 2015 Cole Porter Fellow award, is the latest notable NOLA piano export to register on a national level. He's done his homework, having studied with piano masters like Marsalis, Fred Hersch, Peter Martin, Jason Moran, and Phil Markowitz; he's made some considerable contributions as a sideman, having worked with vibraphonist Stefon Harris, rising star clarinetist Oran Etkin, and trumpeter Theo Croker; and now, Fortner is poised to make his mark as a leader with his debut on the revived-and-thriving Impulse! imprint.