V. A. Jazz 2024

Software, Peter Seiler, Dancing Fantasy, Frank Fischer, G.E.N.E., Lisa Franco, Megabyte and others.

The « In Jazz » collection proudly presents its new voulume dedicated to the unique artist Björk. Rediscover the gretest songs of Björk reworked by the Jazz scene. A selection of the nicest covers of « Venus As A Boy », « Army Of Me » or « Human Behaviour », iplayed by Viktoria Tolstoy, Julia Karosi, Gretchen Parlato, Eric Legnini…

Urban Soul Grooves - rare and slick. City Soul - move to the groove. Jazz 'n Dance - the mix with tricks. The coolest mixture around with some of the best kept secrets in the world of European new house swing bands. The soul is in the music and nobody's gonna stop it, if you care to listen. Dancing Fantasy, TeeKay, Quiet Force, George Bishop, Software, Terry Marshall, Frank Fisсher and more.

Pianist Oscar Peterson's Frank Sinatra tribute features his trio (with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen) playing easy listening jazz versions of a dozen songs associated with the singer. The renditions are all under four minutes and are highlighted by "Come Dance with Me," "Just in Time," "I Get a Kick Out of You," and "How About You?" This is not one of Oscar Peterson's most essential dates, but it is swinging and enjoyable.

Another gem from the creative Beegie Adair and her trio. This time, she is accompanied by Jeff Steinberg and his orchestra. A loving tribute to Tony Bennett and his illustrious career. As usual, Beegie includes one selection on the album where she plays solo piano and she picked 'I Left My Heart In San Francisco'. A beautiful rendition. This is a great album tinged with jazz overtones without losing the melodic memories of Tony's original sound. The orchestra is perfectly balanced and adds just the right touch while still allowing the familiar Beegie Adair Trio sound to shine through. If you are new to Beegie's music, this album will make you a convert to her impeccable sound and those like myself, have added it as another gem to her large catalog of great music.

Eleven years after her passing, Nina Simone still fascinates. Her work will forever be universally celebrated as that of a major figure in American 20th century music. Verve Records pays homage to her with an album in which her emblematic titles have been revisited by the cream of the new generation's Pop and Soul artists.

Software, Peter Seiler, Dancing Fantasy, Frank Fischer, G.E.N.E., Lisa Franco, Megabyte and others.

Born in 1943 in the Latvian capital of Riga, Mariss Jansons grew up in the Soviet Union as the son of conductor Arvid Jansons, studying violin, viola and piano and completing his musical education in conducting with high honours at the Leningrad Conservatory. Further studies followed with Hans Swarovsky in Vienna and Herbert von Karajan in Salzburg. In 1971 he won the conducting competition sponsored by the Karajan Foundation in Berlin. His work was also significantly influenced by the legendary Russian conductor Yevgeny Mravinsky, who engaged Mariss Jansons as his assistant at the Leningrad Philharmonic in 1972. Over the succeeding years Mariss Jansons remained loyal to this orchestra, today renamed the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, as a regular conductor until 1999, conducting the orchestra during that period on tours throughout the world. From 1971 to 2000 he was also professor of conducting at the St. Petersburg Conservatoire.