Concord Jazz

The Concord Jazz Guitar Collective was a 1995 project that united Howard Alden with fellow guitarists and Concord artists Jimmy Bruno and Frank Vignola. For Concord, a three-guitar date was hardly unprecedented; back in 1974, the label had brought Barney Kessel, Charlie Byrd, and Herb Ellis together as the Great Guitars. Despite the fact that they all play the same instrument, Alden, Bruno, and Vignola prove compatible on this outing, which also employs Jim Hughart on upright bass and Colin Bailey on drums. Although Bruno tends to be more aggressive and forceful than Alden, he can be quite lyrical when he wants to; and while Alden isn't as hard a player as Bruno, he definitely swings. The two have a strong rapport on uptempo numbers like Charlie Parker's "Ornithology," Sam Jones' "Bittersweet," and Benny Goodman's "Seven Come Eleven," as well as on more relaxed performances like Django Reinhardt's "Song D'Autumne"…

Herb Ellis, Joe Pass, Ray Brown, Jake Hanna - Jazz / Concord (1972) {2014 Japan Concord Jazz Selection Series UCCO-90301}
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© 1972, 2014 Concord / Universal Japan | UCCO-90301
Jazz / Bop / Guitar

The very first release by the Concord label was a quartet set featuring guitarists Herb Ellis and Joe Pass, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Jake Hanna. Ellis and Pass (the latter was just beginning to be discovered) always made for a perfectly complementary team, constantly challenging each other. The boppish music (which mixes together standards with "originals" based on the blues and a standard) is quite enjoyable with the more memorable tunes including "Look for the Silver Lining," "Honeysuckle Rose," "Georgia," "Good News Blues," and "Bad News Blues." This was a strong start for what would become the definitive mainstream jazz label.

The Hanna-Fontana Band - Live At Concord (1975) {Concord Jazz CCD-6011 rel 1988}
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© 1975, 1988 Concord Jazz | CCD-6011
Jazz / Traditional Jazz / Trombone / Drums

This album preserves a great performance by a rare gathering of players, with drummer Jake Hanna and trombonist Carl Fontana as the headliners. Fontana, one of the top jazz soloists on his instrument, is featured on the first two tracks, "A Beautiful Friendship" and "Sweet and Lovely." Tenor sax and trumpet are added for the rest of the tunes, except the ballad "Old Folks" which features the tenor alone with the rhythm section. The soloist is Plas Johnson, a star in his own right, who is perhaps most widely remembered for his famous Pink Panther solo with Henry Mancini.

Jack McDuff & Joey DeFrancesco - It's About Time (1996) {Concord Jazz SACD-1022-6}
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© 1996, 2003 Concord Records / Concord Jazz | SACD-1022-6 / CCD-4705-25
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Hammond B-3 Organ

Jack McDuff and Joey DeFrancesco personify the Jazz Organ Renaissance that is sweeping the world in this incredible recording for Concord. Organists have paired up before in recording studios but never in such a historical effort. Unlike Jack and Joey’s last double organ session which was live, this recording offered more artistic control. Concord wisely permitted Jack to put together the charts and gave Joey the bass duties to lessen the load. This album was recorded in New York City, NY, on December 11 & 12, 1995.

Recorded in celebration of Concord Records’ 30th anniversary, Live at Montreux – Voices of Concord Jazz features some of today’s most compelling vocal artists, captured live at one of the world’s most prestigious jazz festivals.

Herb Ellis & Joe Pass - Seven, Come Eleven (1973) {2014 Japan Concord Jazz Selection Series UCCO-90302}
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© 1973, 2014 Concord / Universal Japan | UCCO-90302
Jazz / Bop / Post Bop / Guitar

The second Concord album was recorded the day after the first with the same lineup: guitarists Herb Ellis and Joe Pass, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Jake Hanna. Pass would sign with Pablo but Ellis would be a fixture on the Concord label throughout the 1970s. If anything, the guitarists' rematch was a bit stronger than their first due to material better suited for jamming including "In a Mellotone," a speedy "Seven Come Eleven," "Perdido" and "Concord Blues." Although Pass would soon be recognized as a giant, Ellis battles him to a draw on this frequently exciting bop-oriented date, which has been reissued on CD.

Scott Hamilton - From The Beginning (2002) {2CD Set, Concord Jazz ‎CCD2-2117-2 rec 1977-1978}
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© 1977-78, 2002 Concord Jazz ‎| CCD2-2117-2
Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Saxophone

Whoever decided to name '50s-style, small combo jazz "mainstream" did a disservice to saxophonists like Scott Hamilton. The word sounds safe and soulless. And while Hamilton will never be mistaken for John Coltrane, he's no throwback to some fondly remembered (and forgotten) era. From the Beginning combines the oddly titled Scott Hamilton Is a Good Wind Who is Blowing Us No Ill from 1977 and Scott Hamilton, 2 from 1978. Hamilton's first Concord album predated the Young Lions by a couple of years, and must have seemed like a fresh breeze in the midst of the fusion meltdown. Both discs feature small combos with pianist Nat Pierce, bassist Monty Budwig, and drummer Jake Hanna.

Dave McKenna - Live At Maybeck (1990) {Concord Jazz CCD-4410}
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© 1990 Concord Jazz | CCD-4410
Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Standards / Stride / Piano

Live at Maybeck Recital Hall is an album of solo performances by jazz pianist Dave McKenna, recorded in 1989. When Joanne Brackeen first arrived at the tiny Maybeck Recital Hall for a concert in June 1989, she was so delighted with the piano and the acoustics that she insisted that Concord owner Carl Jefferson arrange to have her performance there recorded. The message hit home and over the next few years, several dozen solo piano concerts were duly recorded by the label until the hall was sold and it was no longer available for tapings. One of the first concerts to follow Brackeen's featured Dave McKenna. He seems in a particularly lyrical mood throughout this afternoon concert, though his trademark buoyant bassline is often present.