World on a String
Artist: Henry "Red" Allen

This CD is a true classic. Trumpeter Red Allen is heard at the peak of his creative powers with a remarkable octet also featuring trombonist J.C. Higginbotham, clarinetist Buster Bailey, and the great tenor Coleman Hawkins. "I Cover the Waterfront" has a wonderfully abstract statement from Allen, "Love Is Just Around the Corner" is joyous... Read More

1936
Artist: Wingy Manone

The Classics series (along with the unrelated Collectors Classics label) has been reissuing all of trumpeter Wingy Manone's recordings of the 1930s, many of which did not even reappear during the LP era. By 1936, Manone's records were getting a bit predictable, but taken in small doses they are still quite fun. Manone sings on all of the 22... Read More

Story 1928-1944
Artist: Sidney DeParis
Live in New York, 1950-1951
Artist: Sidney Bechet

Neglected in his homeland, the great soprano-saxophonist Sidney Bechet first moved to France (where he quickly became known as a national hero) in 1949 but made a couple of trips back to the United States during the next few years. His Storyville CD features Bechet in the U.S. during two occasions, leading a quartet/quintet with only a trombone... Read More

Dr. Jazz Series, Vol. 4
Artist: Jimmy Archey
1929-1933
Artist: Henry "Red" Allen

The first of a five-volume CD series released by the European Classics label that reissues all of the recordings led by trumpeter Red Allen during 1929-41 is one of the best. The great trumpeter is first heard fronting the Luis Russell Orchestra for such classics as "It Should Be You" and "Biff'ly Blues," he interacts with blues singer Victoria... Read More

The Essential Vic Dickenson
Artist: Vic Dickenson

This single CD reissues ten of the dozen songs originally on a double LP of the same name. Trombonist Vic Dickenson did not get to lead that many sessions, and he is generous in allocating solo space on these mainstream sessions. Trumpeters Ruby Braff and/or Shad Collins along with the distinctive clarinetist Edmond Hall and pianist Sir Charles... Read More

Wingy Manone Collection, Vol. 4 (1935-36)
Artist: Wingy Manone & His Orchestra

Trumpeter Wingy Manone recorded pretty frequently during the year covered by this CD and his sextet/septet includes such top soloists (at one time or another) as clarinetists Matty Matlock and Joe Marsala, tenors Eddie Miller and Bud Freeman and trombonist George Brunies; plus trombone great Jack Teagarden is aboard for one session. With Manone... Read More

The Bay City Jazz Band
Artist: Bay City Jazz Band

The Bay City Jazz Band at the time of this, their debut recording, were on average between 21 and 25 years of age. Firmly entrenched as standard-bearers of the San Francisco scene started a few years earlier by Lu Watters' Yerba Buene Jazz Band, the BCJB were masters of ensemble playing, blending in a way that few trad Dixieland bands seldom... Read More

Jazz at the New School
Artist: Eddie Condon

Guitarist Eddie Condon and drummer Gene Krupa made their recording debut together in 1927, and this CD reissues their final recordings from 45 years later. Recorded in a classroom, the live concert has a quintet consisting of the always-exciting cornetist Wild Bill Davison (the star of the date), Kenny Davern on soprano, the great stride pianist... Read More

Live
Artist: World's Greatest Jazz Band

This is the finest record ever recorded by the World's Greatest Jazz Band, an exciting Dixieland nonet consisting in 1970 of trumpeters Yank Lawson and Billy Butterfield, trombonists Vic Dickenson and Lou McGarity, Bob Wilber on clarinet and soprano, tenor saxophonist Bud Freeman, pianist Ralph Sutton, bassist Bob Haggart, and drummer Gus... Read More

1936-1937
Artist: Wingy Manone

The fifth in Classics' complete Wingy Manone series of CDs features the good-humored trumpeter/singer on 21 selections from a nine-month period. A fair amount of Wingy's sidemen are obscure, but they do sometimes include clarinetists Joe Marsala and Matty Matlock and trombonist George Brunies. Manone sings on all of the selections, and even if... Read More