The Poll Winners with Ray Brown and Shelly Manne
Artist: Barney Kessel

Because guitarist Barney Kessel, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Shelly Manne all won the Downbeat, Metronome and Playboy jazz polls of 1956, it was decided to team the trio together for this and a few other future recordings. Kessel is generally the lead voice of the pianoless group although Brown and Manne also have plenty of solo space.... Read More

Yeah!
Artist: Pete Jolly

Pete Jolly and his sidemen (bassist Chuck Berghofer and drummer Nick Martinis) celebrated their 21st year as a regularly working trio with this fine V.S.O.P. CD. The musicians sound quite enthusiastic and creative within the boundaries of straight-ahead jazz, showing that they had not run out of ideas yet. Jolly alternates hot pieces with... Read More

The Poll Winners
Artist: Barney Kessel

If the picture of three grown men hanging onto giant, colored swirl sticks looks a bit odd, or if the title The Poll Winners seems a bit conceited, the music, nonetheless -- recorded in 1957 -- still sounds great in 2002. Besides, guitarist Barney Kessel, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Shelly Manne really did win polls in Down Beat, Playboy, and... Read More

That's My Kick/Gemini
Artist: Erroll Garner

This CD from Telarchive (a subsidiary of Telarc) reissues the complete content of two later Errol Garner LPs: That's My Kick and Gemini. The great pianist was still in prime form and, although his sidemen are fine in support (Wally Richardson is on guitar on the first date and the congas of Jose Mangual add a Latin flavor to the music to both... Read More

Yours Truly
Artist: Pete Jolly

Pete Jolly and his longtime sidemen (Chuck Berghofer has been his regular bassist since the late '50s while drummer Nick Martinis joined up in 1964) perform 11 standards plus his old hit "Little Bird" on this fine outing. The virtuosic pianist dominates the ensembles but the contributions of Berghofer and Martinis (who have to think fast to keep... Read More

Pete Jolly Trio and Friends
Artist: Pete Jolly

This CD contains selections taken from pianist Pete Jolly's three mid-'60s LPs for Ava. Although it would have been preferable to have all of the music complete, this is a fine all-round sampler. The talented bop-based pianist is joined by bassist Chuck Berghofer, guitarist Howard Roberts, either Larry Bunker or Nick Martinis on drums and, on... Read More

Oscar Peterson Plays for Lovers
Artist: Oscar Peterson
Limehouse Blues
Artist: Barney Kessel

Guitarist Barney Kessel and violinist Stephane Grappelli always made for a mutually complementary team. Kessel's background was in Charlie Christian rather than Django Reinhardt (although Django can be felt now and then in his style), but there was always a lot of common ground between him and Grappelli. This LP (whose music has been mostly... Read More

George Shearing and the Montgomery Brothers - BONUS TRACKS
Artist: George Shearing

Pianist George Shearing meets up with guitarist Wes, vibraphonist Buddy, and bassist Monk Montgomery on this enjoyable if slightly lightweight outing. The performances are a bit too concise at times, but the CD reissue does add three extra takes to the original 11-song program and has some fine soloing by the principals. Highlights include "Love... Read More

Blues Etude
Artist: Oscar Peterson

This CD reissue finds pianist Oscar Peterson at a transitional point in his career. Louis Hayes was the new drummer in his trio and, although veteran Ray Brown is on bass during the earlier of the two sessions, by 1966 he would depart after 15 years and be replaced by Sam Jones. However the basic sound of the Oscar Peterson Trio remained... Read More

Spontaneous Combustion
Artist: Barney Kessel

This excellent straight-ahead set (which has been reissued on CD along with a "bonus" cut, "Shaw Nuff") finds pianist Monty Alexander, along with bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton, lighting a fire under guitarist Barney Kessel and pushing him to some of his more heated playing. Kessel performs four of his better originals plus... Read More

Joe's Blues
Artist: Joe Pass

Originally recorded in 1968, but not released until thirty years later on the Laser Light label. Joe's Blues is the first of three sessions Joe Pass recorded with colleague and friend, Herb Ellis. It was recorded following Pass' stint as the featured guitarist on Billy Eckstine's television show. His playing is bursting with energy and is a fine... Read More