Live and Well in Japan
Artist: Benny Carter

Benny Carter headed a talent-filled tentet for this frequently exciting concert. With trumpeters Cat Anderson and Joe Newman, trombonist Britt Woodman, Cecil Payne on baritone and Budd Johnson doubling on tenor and soprano, it is not at all surprising that the results would be memorable, but this date actually exceeds one's expectations. In... Read More

1929-1941
Artist: Sammy Price

This single CD from the European Classics label collects all of pianist Sammy Price's postwar recordings as a leader. Despite its title, only two titles preceded the 1940-41 period: "Blue Rhythm Stomp" by Price's Four Quarters in 1929, and "Nasty But Nice," which finds Price on the same day accompanying trombonist Bert Johnson. Otherwise, the... Read More

Vine Street Boogie
Artist: Jay McShann

Pianist Jay McShann's solo performance at the 1974 Montreux Jazz Festival still sounds fresh and lively over two decades later. He performs six mostly blues-based originals (including "Hootie Blues," "Confessin' The Blues" and "Yardbird Waltz"), adding an occasional vocal. In addition, because this concert took place shortly after the death of... Read More

1940-1941
Artist: Benny Carter

Most of the selections on the sixth and final Classics' CD to reissue all of Benny Carter's pre-war recordings as a leader feature the altoist's commercially unsuccessful big band. With such major soloists as the leader, trumpeter Jonah Jones and Sidney DeParis, trombonists Benny Morton and Jimmy Archey and pianist Sonny White, it is surprising... Read More

1929-1933
Artist: Benny Carter

The European Classics series has been reissuing on CD the complete output of many top jazz artists of the '20s and '30s. Benny Carter's music at last receives the treatment it deserves in this program. His first volume features the great altoist with a pickup group (the Chocolate Dandies) from 1929-30 that showcases sidemen from Fletcher... Read More

The Claw: Live at the Floating Jazz Festival
Artist: Flip Phillips

Veteran tenor Flip Phillips is heard leading a jam session during what was dubbed the 1986 Floating Jazz Festival since the music took place on the S.S. Norway somewhere in the Caribbean Sea. Phillips and his fellow tenors Buddy Tate, Al Cohn and Scott Hamilton (along with pianst John Bunch, guitarist Chris Flory, bassist Major Holley and... Read More

Central City Sketches - MUSIC MASTERS
Artist: Benny Carter & The American Jazz Orchestra

One of the many Benny Carter recordings cut after he returned to jazz on a full-time basis in the mid-'70s, this double-LP set is the jewel among the seemingly countless number of gems. Eight of Carter's compositions are performed by the all-star American Jazz Orchestra ("Doozy" gets two versions) along with his old theme song "Sleep" and his... Read More

A Sound Investment
Artist: Flip Phillips

By sheer coincidence, this album was recorded a few months before and released just one month after the 1987 stock market crash; hence the upticking curve on the graph depicted on the jacket became a positive antidote of sorts to the financial screwups of the time. But without even seeing the jacket, one is always aware of the good vibes these... Read More

Real Swinger
Artist: Flip Phillips

The great tenor saxophonist Flip Phillips (73 at the time) is heard in prime form throughout this exciting CD. Assisted by guitarists Howard Alden and Wayne Wright, pianist Dick Hyman, bassist Jack Lesberg and drummer Butch Miles, Phillips alternately roars and purrs throughout the set. His two originals ("Hashimoto's Blues" and "Christian... Read More

The Last of the Blue Devils
Artist: Jay McShann

When Charlie Parker first came to New York in 1942, he was a sideman in Jay McShann's big band. Every jazz fan knows what happened after that -- Parker changed the world and McShann became a footnote in Parker's biography. That's too bad, and not just for him; if the 1978 session remastered and reissued on this disc is anything to go by, McShann... Read More

Paris All-Star Blues: A Tribute
Artist: Jay McShann

The Jay McShann orchestra of the early 1940s, best known for having among its sidemen Charlie Parker, only lasted a few years, but made its impact on jazz history. In 1989, pianist McShann had a rare opportunity to record with a big band, a truly all-star outfit. Included among the illustrious players on this CD are trumpeters Clark Terry,... Read More

The Big Apple Bash
Artist: Jay McShann

Pianist Jay McShann has spent much of his career being classified as a blues pianist when in fact he is a flexible swing stylist. On this excellent release, McShann appears with two groups of all-stars. His original "Crazy Legs and Friday Strut" and "Georgia on My Mind" find him joined by Herbie Mann (on flute and tenor), baritonist Gerry... Read More

My Man Benny, My Man Phil
Artist: Benny Carter

It is extremely difficult to believe that Benny Carter was 82 years old at the time of this recording, for his strong sound (nothing feeble about his playing) and fertile ideas on alto make him sound as if he were a contemporary of Phil Woods, who was born 24 years later. Together Carter and Woods form a mutual-admiration society which can be... Read More

Songbook
Artist: Benny Carter

Due to his being such a talented altoist, arranger and occasional trumpeter for seven decades, it is often forgotten that Benny Carter wrote some worthy songs along the way. "When Lights Are Low" and "Blues in My Heart" are standards while "Only Trust Your Heart," "Key Largo" and the novelty hit "Cow-Cow Boogie" are close. For this unusual set,... Read More