Jazz Piano Lessons

Dick Katz, Derek Smith, Rene Urtreger - Jazz Piano International (1957) {2013 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series 24bit WPCR-27217}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (image)+CUE+LOG -> 189 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 96 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 26 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit remaster
© 1957, 2013 Warner Japan / Atlantic / Rhino | WPCR-27217 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Piano Trio

Features 24 bit digital remastering. Comes with a description. An unusual global session for Atlantic Records – an album that has John Lewis presenting work by three other musicians that he feels are ripe for wider discovery! The set's got some killer work from Rene Utreger – a key Parisian player in the postwar years, working here with dexterity that's almost at a Bud Powell level! Dick Katz is also featured on the set – with some nice colors and tones in the mix, similar to some of the work he'd go onto do for Atlantic and other labels. And perhaps the least known here is the British player Derek Smith – stepping out with a lyrical style that's captured surprisingly well here – and which makes the record a key addition to Smith's catalog.

A wonderful collector's edition of jazz pianists' records in almost all styles from the first ragtimes to modern jazz.

Various Artists - The Complete Master Jazz Piano Series (1992) {4CD Box Set Mosaic MD4-140 rec 1969-74}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 1.12 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 614 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 29 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1969-74, 1992 Mosaic Records | MD4-140
Jazz / Bop / Stride / Swing / Piano

During a five-year period the Master Jazz label recorded 11 swing-based pianists in solo settings. Although the label went under later in the decade, the recordings were treasured by collectors. Mosaic, on this four-CD set, brought back all of the music from the original five-volume Master Jazz Piano series, adding two unissued selections and a full album released separately of Ram Ramirez's playing. In addition to Ramirez (who is heard on 13 numbers), there are 13 performances by Earl Hines, four apiece from Claude Hopkins, Cliff Jackson, Keith Dunham, Sonny White, Teddy Wilson, Cliff Smalls and the obscure Gloria Hearn, eight by Jay McShann and two from Sir Charles Thompson. Most of these pianists (other than Hines and Wilson) rarely recorded during this period in their careers, making this box very important both musically and historically.