Jimmy Bond

Elmo Hope Trio is an album by jazz pianist Elmo Hope recorded in 1959 and originally released on the Hifijazz label but rereleased on Contemporary Records.

The Jazz Crusaders second album for Pacific Jazz, Lookin Ahead features the core four members of the group (Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson, Wilton Felder and Stix Hooper), with bassist Jimmy Bond rounding out the sound. Lookin Ahead showcases what was already a signature sound for the group, with the tenor saxophone and trombone leading many of the songs, although Joe Samples piano playing holds much of the material together. The group wrote seven of the albums nine cuts, including The Young Rabbits, which would become something of a staple for the Jazz Crusaders during the 1960s, being much revered at their live shows. The two covers include Tonight, from the musical West Side Story, and Song Of India, a classical piece by Rimsky-Korsakov arranged by Joe Sample. Along with their debut album Freedom Sound (also available on Hallmark as 713822) the Jazz Crusaders were at the forefront of the soul jazz scene in Los Angeles in the early 1960s. Their relevance and importance continued to grow throughout the rest of the decade.

Little Girl Blue is an artistic statement by jazz virtuoso Nina Simone that reinvents a wide variety of compositions. Simone's combination of classical training, smoky-alto vocal delivery and the influence of modern jazz make her a novel and inspiring jazz singer and instrumentalist.

An essential collection for Simone completists, containing four songs left over from her career-launching debut album "Little Girl Blue". This album was released in 1959 without Simone's knowledge after she left Bethlehem Records. Reappearing here from the debut is Simone's only charting single "I Loves You, Porgy", a Billboard Top 20 hit. Simone shares time on this album equally with "her friends" Chris Connor and Carmen McRae who each contribute four songs.

Art Pepper’s The Way it Was! was recorded for Contemporary between 1956-60, these seven tracks sat dormant in the label's vault until 1972. The album is built around four previously un-released tunes pairing Pepper with the tenor of Warne Marsh. Filling out the program are three incredible tracks from Pepper's masterpieces; Gettin' Together and Intensity (both 1960) plus Meets the Rhythm Section (1957), all of which were left off due to the timing limitations of vinyl. Supported by the likes of Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones, Wynton Kelly, Jimmy Cobb and Red Garland, their workouts on the standards “The Man I Love,” “Autumn Leaves” and especially “The Way You Look Tonight” establish a brilliant east-coast meets west-coast summit. Art's creamy alto more than holds it's own with some of New York's bop-elite, resulting in a masterpiece in its own right.

This session with Jimmy Bond and Albert “Tootie” Heath was Nina Simone’s first recording ever. Made when she was 25-years old, it was a huge success and led to a tremendous career which would produce more than 80 studio sessions. After making these tracks, Simone would not record again for two years, finally returning to the studios for a 1959 New York date with a large orchestra directed by Bob Mersey. Simone would only record again with Jimmy Bond and Al Heath during a 1959 concert at Town Hall.

Rockin' Bones: 1950's Punk & Rockabilly is a 2006 4CD box set focusing on the roots of rock & roll through rockabilly and the attitude involved that helped to form what became punk rock. This was released by Rhino.